Sacked CWG Organising Committee Chairman Suresh Kalmadi, accused in a games-related graft case, was today allowed by a Delhi court to go to London for the 2012 Olympics.
Special CBI judge Talwant Singh allowed Kalmadi’s plea to visit London from July 26 to August 13, while ordering him to furnish a bond of Rs 10 lakh and a surety of the same amount.
The court also made it clear that Kalmadi is allowed to visit London for the purpose of the 2012 Olympics only.
“Accused no 1 (Kalmadi) is a member of International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) Council and President of Asian Athletics Association (AAA) and arguments on charge on his behalf are already over. The arguments on charge of the other accused in the case are going on and it will take time in concluding. Accordingly, the application of Kalmadi is allowed,” the judge said.
The court also noted that no adjournment would be sought on behalf of Kalmadi and his counsel will remain present in the proceedings during his absence.
Seeking the court’s permission to visit the United Kingdom for the games from July 26 to August 13, Kalmadi had also placed on record the invitation from IAAF Council and the general programme schedule of the Olympics and details of the ticket sent to him by the association’s General Secretary Essar Gabriel.
The Lok Sabha MP and 10 others have been charge-sheeted by the CBI under various provisions of the IPC and Prevention of Corruption Act for allegedly “illegally” awarding contract to install Timing, Scoring and Results (TSR) system for the 2010 Commonwealth Games to Swiss Timing, causing a loss of over Rs 90 crore to the exchequer.
Keywords: CWG accused, Kalmadi, 2012 Olympics, London Games, IAAF
The rich and influential easily spend time outside of jail by posting paltry sum as bail money and sureties. It is only the poor who languish in jails as under-trails. I wonder if every powerful accused is allowed to go about doing their daily business,be it attending the Olympics or overseeing "constituency development works" or availing "required" medical treatments abroad, are these corruption case proceedings a mere "nuisances" hindering their day-today lives?
There is evidently a social fracture in our society which doesn't perceive corruption as a crime that is shameful or heinous. Unless we as a society inculcate a sense of collective outrage at such crimes, these criminals will continue to move-on with their lives unfettered by these cases.
In our functional democracy,law takes its own course.It is taking place
in case of Sajjan Kumar of anti Sikh riot fame.The due course shall also
provide intermediary reliefs to Rajas and Kalmadis.Why to think that he
is unfit to represent us in the Olympics in London?
Kalmadi was under detention and came out on bail.He is not functioning as office bearer of any of the committees also.Hence he need not represent India and his photo will be flashed in Foreign media how a corrupt person in India can go scot free in India over and above visit Olympic Games.Hence public at large should take the case in higher forum so that no more janardhan Reddys are living in this country.
I am disgusted.......... an accused person representing the country in International Sports Associations and attending the Olympics, what a SHAME!!!!!
"The court also made it clear that Kalmadi is allowed to visit London
for the purpose of the 2012 Olympics only" !
That says it all ! This is the biggest joke pulled on the country. Who is going to be monitoring what Kalmadi is doing in London? London is the financial center of the world. This would be the perfect opportunity for him to move all the money siphoned away from the CWG into places that authorities in India will never be able to reach.
While other countries would send sportsperson, India will send the Scamsters and sportsperson's relatives (Sania's mother). It is a tourism opportunity and everone wants to avail it.
I can't understand what kind of justice is getting served?
There is future for India only if politicians are taught lesson by people of the country (which could be anyway, even the mob rule will help).
That's outrageous. The guy should be locked up in prison for ever and never allowed to see the light of day. Are you kidding?!
He brought shame to the country, yet we're allowing him to be present on behalf of India at the London Olympics.
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