‘Kalmadi PA main conduit for bribes’

The CBI on Thursday told the court that former Commonwealth Games Organising Committee chief Suresh Kalmadi’s personal assistant was the “main conduit” who accepted bribes on behalf of the OC officials.

The CBI on Thursday told the court that former Commonwealth Games Organising Committee chief Suresh Kalmadi’s personal assistant was the “main conduit” who accepted bribes on behalf of the OC officials.

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The OC chief’s PA Shekhar M Deorukhkar was picked up from his residence in Kothrud area of Pune last week by a CBI team from Delhi in connection with the CWG scam. He was arrested under IPC 420 (cheating) and 120-b (criminal conspiracy).

Seeking extension for Deorukhkar’s custodial interrogation, the CBI said the agency has “sufficient evidence on record that the PA accepted huge bribes in lieu of awarding overlay contracts at exorbitant rates”. The agency said Deorukhkar, along with other OC officials in committee, hatched criminal conspiracy and defrauded the exchequer.

The probe agency, in its remand application, specifically claimed that Deorukhkar in collusion with other OC officials made unmeritorious decisions while awarding the contracts in CWG.

According to sources, Deorukhkar was the one who interacted with domestic and international firms bidding for CWG contracts. The CBI submitted a CD in the court as evidence on record.

Overlays works included supply of tents, marquees, pre-fabricated units, portable toilets, containers, security fences, furniture, public display LED boards, floor finishes, material handling equipment, gensets, cabling, UPS, air-conditioners, lighting, civil construction and fitness equipment. The court remanded Deorukhkar, who has been Kalmadi’s personal assistant for more than 15 years, to two-day custodial interrogation.

Meanwhile, Deorukhkar has alleged that CBI officials assaulted him during his custodial interrogation.

“I was slapped four times by the investigating officer during the interrogation,” he told the judge.

Deorukhkar was arrested following the disclosure of his name in a complaint filed against VK Verma, director general, OC.

The CBI alleged that Verma and others officials of the OC had entered into a criminal conspiracy with Binu Nanu, managing director of M/s Meroform India Pvt Limited and M/s G L Events Pvt Limited and defrauded the government.