Email frauds is new taint on Games

Cornered Indian embassy in UK says email provided by Kalmadi to justify contract was not theirs; organisers order probe

Cong washes its hands off

The Congress distance itself from Lok Sabha MP Suresh Kalmadi. "He is there not as a Congress member but as Indian Olympic Association president," party spokesman Shakeel Ahmed said.


NEW DELHI:

Days after commonwealth Games Organising Committee (OC) chairman Suresh Kalmadi brandished an email from the Indian High Commission in London as proof that the mission had recommended UK-based firm AM Cars and Vans, sources in the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) questioned the authenticity of the communication.


The OC, for its part,said what transpired between it and the mission was well documented and a probe panel has been formed to look into the 'facts'. Kalmadi also met external affairs minister S.M. Krishna who apprised him of the situation.

AM Cars and Vans was paid 2,47,000 pound by the OC for services rendered during the Queen's Baton Relay in London last year.

Kalmadi's copy of the email - from Raju Sebastian, a junior officer in the mission - ends with: "The approved vendors for transport are AM Car & Van and The Chauffer Company."

But the MEA sources said this line was nowhere in its documents. Rather, the "letter just informed the OC of rates charged by vendors available with the high commission records".

"The authenticity of the letters is in doubt. It is alleged the contract was given to AM Cars and Vans on the mission's recommendation. This is against available facts and documents," the sources said.

"Whatever mails we exchanged are well documented," said Lalit Bhanot, OC secretary-general. Calls, SMSes and e-mails to Kalmadi went unanswered.

UNFOLDING SCAM

30TH JULY:

A news channel alleges improper payments were made to questionable entities in London. The firm under the scanner was AM cars and Van Ltd who was paid Rs 3 crore for the services they provided for the Queen's Baton Relay.

31ST JULY:

Suresh Kalmadi calls in a press conference and says OC was not involved, says the company was chosen on the recommendation of the Indian High Commission in London. Kalmadi cites e-mail evidence.

1ST AUG:

High Commission says the official (Raju Sebastian) who apparently sent the email was too junior to take a decision. Kalmadi sends mails that were exchanged between the OC and the Indian High Commission.

2ND AUG:
IOA secretary general Randir Singh demands emergency meeting of CWG OC's Executive Board to discuss and resolve corruption charges.

3RD AUG:

MEA questions veracity of the mail Kalmadi has circulated. The OC chief meets foreign minister SM Krishna and is apprised of the situation. Probe panel is constituted.

A cornered Commonwealth Games Organising Committee on Tuesday was forced to constitute a three-member probe panel to look into the charges of misappropriation of funds during the hosting of the Queen's Baton Relay (QBR) in London last year. The panel headed by Jarnail Singh, the OC Chief Executive, will submit its report on Wednesday. The other two members are GC Chaturvedi, Special Director-General, Finance and Gurjyot Kaur, Chief Vigilance Officer.

The panel will look into all transactions between the OC and AM Films, which was given Rs 3 crore for providing service during the QBR. Though the OC felt the mails circulated by chairman Suresh Kalmadi were 'clean', it said," the truth would come out tomorrow".

OC Secretary-General Lalit Bhanot said: "Whatever has transpired between us and the Indian High Commission in London would be looked into including the transaction between us and AM car and Vans Limited." He also said the MEA's charges regarding the mail would also be looked into.

DARBARI STILL THERE

TS Darbari,one of the two names to figure in the mail,is still working for the OC, though the sports Ministry has asked the OC to sack him. Sanjay Mahendroo, the other name that appeared on the mail, according to OC, left the organisation a couple of month back. When asked, Bhanot, said, "Darbari is still on our payrolls. We have received that letter from the ministry and will look into it. Mahendroo doesn't work for us anymore."

HANDOVER OF STADIUMS

Though Aug 1 was supposed to be the date on which the OC would have liked to take charge of the venues, it was yet to take charge of most. The OC, however, has played down the issue and said it would take charge of the stadiums in a few days with complete paperwork. Safety certificates are an area of concern. Bhanot felt there was no problem with the stadiums. "We have started taking charge."

DAY IN A NUTSHELL

Organising Committee sets up three-member panel to probe money trail in UK after the High Commission says its email has been tampered with.

Uproar in Rajya Sabha over reports that the Delhi govt diverted funds meant for SC/ST welfare for CWG projects

Sheila Dikshit denies allegations but an internal Government document shows that the "funds earmarked under the heads of indivisible" and meant to be spent for the welfare of SC, was diverted to various building and road construction projects.

Ministry asks OC to sack two controversial officials - T S Darbari and Sanjay Mohindroo both of whom are under the scanner for alleged corruption

Audit into CWG accounts begins, under spotlight after the CVC raised doubts over 16 projects. However, report will be submitted only by March 2011.

BJP demands MS Gill, Sheila Dikshit and Suresh Kalmadi be divested of their responsibilities.