Probe by the agencies in connection with alleged corruption in the Commonwealth Games (CWG) has prima facie found serious indications that there was a “criminal conspiracy” between the contractors and the members of the OC in so far as awarding contracts worth `272 crores related to overlays was concerned. Most of these contracts had been awarded at the last minute on the grounds of “crisis situation”, which was created purposely. Contracts for overlays amounted to a total of nearly `700 crores.
The CBI probing criminal conspiracy in these contracts is likely to initiate action against contractors and the OC members in this regard soon.
“Some of the contracts related to venue development, ceremonies and cleaning and waste management are under the scanner. Probe by the agencies has established that contracts worth `272 crores were awarded by the OC and other agencies concerned at the last moment allegedly by creating a crisis-like situation”, sources said.
Officials responsible for awarding these contracts at the last moment failed to give any convincing justification for the delays, sources added.
The contractors concerned too had no plausible explanation about why they charged heavy amount, much above the normal, for completing the work or supplying the equipment on time, sources added.
It is believed that awarding contract to specific companies, while accepting their terms and conditions, was done deliberately which amounts to criminal conspiracy, sources added.
“Probe officials are scrutinising the contract papers that were signed by the OC members, invoices and other material to find out the reason behind the late awarding of the contracts. The officials are also trying to look at the actual cost of the overlays as against those claimed by these contractors to arrive at the real profits earned by these companies”, sources said.
According to sources, certain contract documents have allegedly been tampered also by the contractors, which are being scrutinised.
Strict action will also be taken against those who are found guilty in tampering the evidence, sources added.