CWG purchases approach under CBI scanner, investigate begins

After registering two cases in reports of scam in Common wealth Games projects, CBI is now probing supposed overpricing in purchase of furniture, air conditioners and toilet rolls during the sports show.CBI sources said the examination of the documents was being done after the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) alleged discrepancies like inflated prices and bungling in purchase and renting of overlays including equipment worth several crores through tendering.They anti-corruption watchdog passed on reports from its Chief Vigilance Officers (CVOs) of concerned ministries or departments and found substantive evidence to hand over the cases to CBI for further probe and logical finish of the cases.

The CVC had alleged in its report that there have been huge financial losses to the national exchequer while awarding contracts and claimed to have found alleged criminal conspiracy and financial bungling in some of the tenders and award of works.The CBI may further examine some of the officials of the CWG Organising Committee who were not cooperating and had a lackadaisical approach when approached by the CVC.The CBI would be looking into huge deviations that are alleged to have been made in purchase of air conditioners, furniture, kitchen equipment and creating temporary infrastructure for Commonwealth Games Village and other projects.

CBI had on November 15 registered two cases in link with contracts awarded to London-based A M Films and and AM Car and Van Hire limited at exorbitant rates for Queen's Baton Relay in London last year.It has also arrested two top aides of CWG OC Chairman Suresh Kalmadi -- T S Darbari, former Joint Director General and Sanjay Mahendroo, former Deputy Director General.Both Darbari and Mahendroo were primarily suspended in the wake of reports of the CWG scam and later sacked. They are considered to be close associates of OC chairman Kalmadi.CBI said the first case was registered under different Sections of IPC and Prevention of Corruption Act in relation to the award of contract to AM car and Van Hire Ltd.