Thaindian News

New Delhi, March 15 (IANS) Suresh Kalmadi, the former chairman of the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee, underwent another round of daylong questioning by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Tuesday over alleged financial irregularities in the run-up to the event while two of his close aides were slapped with more charges and their judicial custody was extended.

Also on Tuesday, the Delhi High Court granted bail to another accused in the scam.

After nine hours of questing at the CBI headquarters, Kalmadi told reporters that he was ready for any probe and is cooperating fully with the investigation into the alleged financial irregularities in the preparations for the October 3-14, 2010 Games.

Kalmadi arrived at the CBI office at 10.15 a.m. and the questioning lasted till 7.10 p.m., a CBI official said.

Asked if he was ready to come every time the CBI called him, Kalmadi replied: “I am ready to come everyday. I have no problems.”

He said he was questioned on deals with Britain-based AM Films and its sister concern AM Car and Van Hire, run by businessman Ashish Patel and that the “issue has been cleared today (Tuesday)”.

AM Films and AM Car and Van Hire allegedly received 247,000 pounds for its services during the Queen’s Baton Relay ceremony in London last year.

Kalmadi also referred to Jarnail Singh, chief executive officer of the Games Organising Committee, hinting that the CBI must quiz him.

“Mr Singh is the chairman of the OC finance committee. He is part of every committee and he has done a good job,” he said.

Kalmadi was first quizzed by the CBI Jan 5. His home and offices as well as his bank lockers in Pune were raided by the CBI and tax officials.

Kalmadi’s two close aides - Lalit Bhanot and V.K. Verma - held for allegedly resorting to irregularities in awarding lucrative logistics contracts to a Swiss firm for the mega sporting event, was slapped with three more charges of fraud, forgery and cheating Tuesday and their judicial custody was extended till March 29.

Earlier, they were sent to 14 days’ judicial custody March 1. The CBI had arrested the duo Feb 23.

The Delhi High Court Tuesday granted bail to Binu Nanu, an official of a private firm who was in jail for his involvement in the controversy over granting a Rs.600 crore overlays contract for the Games.

Three other former members of the CWG organising committee - T.S. Darbari, Sanjay Mohindroo and M. Jayachandran - were arrested by the CBI late last year for alleged irregularities in the run-up to the Games. They were granted bail earlier this year.