CBI set to quiz Raja, Kalmadi over scams

Dec 14, 2010 - PRAMOD KUMAR |

New Delhi

The CBI is now preparing to question former telecom minister A. Raja and Commonwealth Games Organising Committee (OC) chairman Suresh Kalmadi in connection with its probe into the 2G spectrum scam and alleged irregularities in awarding of several contracts related to the Games, respectively.

The agency has already registered a case against unknown officials of the department of telecommunications (DoT) and representatives of certain private companies in connection with the award of Unified Access Service (UAS) licence and also carried out searches in this regard. The agency officials have also recovered a large number of incriminating documents during searches, including at the residences of Mr Raja in New Delhi and Chennai.
“On the basis of the initial scrutiny of the recovered documents, the CBI may question Mr. Raja any time,” sources said. Some of his relatives may also be questioned by the agency. The CBI officials on Monday questioned R.K. Chandolia, former personal secretary to Mr Raja, in connection with the 2G spectrum scam.
Besides, sources further said, “The agency, which has registered three cases so far in connection with alleged irregularities into the CWG contracts, is also preparing to grill OC chairman Suresh Kalmadi”. Questioning of Lalit Bhanot, the secretary general of the OC, continued even on Monday.
Mr Kalmadi is most likely expected to be questioned in connection with alleged irregularities allegedly committed in awarding contract to a London-based firm for the Queen’s Baton Relay held in London last year. The CBI had registered two FIRs in connection with irregularities in contracts related to the QBR and arrested three former Games committee officials. Besides, the CBI has also booked Bhanot and director general of the OC, V.K. Verma, in connection with irregularities in awarding a contract to a Swiss company for the Time, Scoring and Result (TSR) system of the Games. The agency also carried out searches at the residences of Bhanot and Verma on November 30.
“Mr. Kalmadi may also be questioned in connection with contract awarded to a Swiss company,” sources added.

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