The CBI probe into the Queen Baton’s Relay case may have hit a hurdle as a London-based businessman, whose firms were engaged in transport and display works during the event, is apparently not cooperating with the agency.
Ashish Patel-owned AM Car and Van Hire company was engaged during QBR in 2009 to provide services like taxis for the guests and OC members, while the AM films was hired to provide display monitors during the event. The CBI had last month sent a two-member team, comprising additional director V.K. Gupta and DIG S.K. Palsania, to London to probe the payments made to the two companies allegedly by jailed former Games Organising Committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi’s tacit approval, sources said.
The agency was banking on Mr Patel to provide details of alleged conspiracy involving officials of the CWG OC and his turning into approver would have given “crucial” fillip to the CBI’s case, the sources said. Senior CBI officials, however, added that Mr Patel could have been an important element in proving conspiracy and money trail but even his non-cooperation will not affect the case much.
The CBI team, during their visit to London, had also questioned other companies which were in the fray for the contract, sources said. The London visit also gave the CBI fresh leads in cases related to alleged irregularities in hiring of AM Films and AM Car and Van Hire Limited during QBR, sources in the agency said. The CBI has alleged that in relation to the QBR held on October 29, 2009, the OC awarded the work of transportation to AM Car and Van Hire Ltd at exorbitantly high rates.
Former OC officials, T.S. Darbari, M. Jaychandran and Sanjay Mahendroo, were arrested in connection with contracts awarded to the two firms. However, all secured bails as the agency failed to file its chargesheet in stipulated period of 60 days.