Investigations by the CBI team which had gone to London in connection with the case of alleged irregularities in the Queen’s Baton Relay (QBR), held in London in 2009, have revealed that the contracts for conducting the event was reportedly approved by the Organising Committee (OC) twice within a week and the estimated expenses went up from £33,000 to £1.46 lakh.
According to sources, it has also come to light that the invoices of three London-based companies, who were also among the bidders for the QBR, were forged. The CBI is all set to question sacked OC chairman Suresh Kalmadi in this regard when he appears before the agency on Monday.
Sources further said, “The agency’s probe into QBR contracts, in which two FIRs have been registered, has also revealed that Kalmadi allegedly took financial decisions without taking the approval of the executive board”. According to sources, a payment of £1.46 lakh made to London-based AM car & Van hire and AM Films UK Ltd for the QBR was allegedly made on behalf of Mr Kalmadi in London without taking approval of the Executive Board, sources said.
The ED, probing alleged irregularities committed in awarding contracts related to the Games, has also served notice to Mr Kalmadi. He has been summoned under the provisions of the Foreign Exchange Management Act for alleged violations of foreign exchange rules on Tuesday. The ED is also probing alleged Fema violation in the QBR. The ED wants to ascertain the role of Mr Kalmadi in financial dealings and other decisions related to fund transfers for the QBR.