The government is all set to ask the top brass of the Organising Committee (OC), which is facing several corruption charges, to step down from the posts they are holding.
Apart from facing corruption charges, the OC top brass has been reportedly refusing to sign some of the important documents leading to delays in clearing of payments
and release of hired equipment that were to be returned to the countries concerned. “With the situation now escalating and becoming a highly embarrassment for the country. It is therefore, imperative that the top brass steps down and somebody takes charge,” said sources. The CBI director, Mr A.P. Singh, had already written letter that OC chairman Suresh Kalmadi and secretary general Lalit Bhanot were proving to be a hindrance in agency’s probe.
The agency has so far registered four cases in connection with alleged irregularities into the CWG contracts and booked five close aides of Kalmadi. The OC members who have been booked by the CBI include — Lalit Bhanot (secretary general), V.K. Verma (director general), T.S. Darbari (joint director general, revenue marketing), Sanjay Mohindroo (deputy director general, marketing) and M. Jayachandran (joint director general, accounts and finance).
Sources further said, “The government is expected to ask certain top brass of the OC, including chairman Kalmadi, to step down from their posts in view of the serious allegations against certain members. The agency has already questioned Mr Kalmadi also in connection with its probe into the alleged irregularities in Queen’s Baton Relay contracts.”
The CBI, which probing several cases of corruption in the conduct of the Games, is expected to make some significant arrests in a day or two.