CWG: Kalmadi, Bhanot obstructing probe, says CBI

The CBI has conveyed to the Government that continuance of Commonwealth Games organising committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi and secretary Lalit Bhanot in their posts was proving to be a stumbling block for its ongoing probe into allegations of corruption in the conduct of the mega sporting event.

The CBI has conveyed to the Government that continuance of Commonwealth Games organising committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi and secretary Lalit Bhanot in their posts was proving to be a stumbling block for its ongoing probe into allegations of corruption in the conduct of the mega sporting event.

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The investigating agency has told Cabinet Secretary K M Chandrasekhar that Kalmadi and Bhanot should be moved out at the earliest for smooth progress of the investigations, official sources said.

The CBI move came after its Director A P Singh was informed by investigating officers that OC officials were not forthcoming in sharing information with them because their bosses Kalmadi and Bhanot were still at the helm of affairs.

The CBI has filed three FIRs in connection with alleged irregularities in CWG and has searched the residences of Bhanot and OC Director General VK Verma on November 30. Bhanot and Verma have been named in a case relating to purchase and contracting of timing equipment used for the Games.

Earlier, the CBI had filed two FIRs for the contracting of AM Films and cars/vans for the Baton Relay ceremonies by the OC in London. It has arrested Joint Director General T S Darbari and Deputy Director General Sanjay Mohindroo for their alleged complicity in these deals.