Three-member panel to probe issues raised by media

Rattled by the series of allegations of corruption, the Organising Committee (OC) of the Commonwealth Games on Tuesday formed a three-member committee to look into the matter.

The committee consists of OC Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jarnail Singh, Special Director-General (Accounts and Finance) G.C. Chaturvedi and Chief Vigilance Officer Gurjyot Kaur.

Both Mr. Jarnail Singh and Mr. Chaturvedi are Indian Administrative Service officials while Ms. Kaur is from the Indian Defence Service.

OC Secretary-General Lalit Bhanot said on Tuesday the committee would submit its report shortly.

He said the panel would find out facts of alleged financial irregularities — relating to the Queen's Baton Relay (QBR) in London, Sports Marketing and Management (SMAM) and the overlays costs — levelled by the media.

It would also examine charges of corruption against OC Joint Director-General T.S. Darbari and Deputy Director-General Sanjay Mahendroo during the launch of the QBR.

Bhanot admitted that the Secretary of the Union Sports Ministry, Sindhushree Khullar, had written a letter to OC Chairman Suresh Kalmadi expressing concern about the allegations against Darbari and Mahendroo.

“The OC has taken serious note of the issue,” Bhanot said, adding “Mahendroo had resigned some time back, while Darbari is still working.”

The OC Secretary-General, however, evaded the question whether Darbari would continue to work with the OC even as the fact-finding committee investigated the charges against him.

Darbari had earlier been asked to go on leave on another charge, but returned without getting his name cleared by the government.

Seeking time

About the reported claim by the Union Foreign Ministry that OC had tampered with the letter sent to it from the Indian High Commission in London (regarding the recommendation of AM Films), Bhanot said Kalmadi met Foreign Minister S.M. Krishna earlier in the day, discussed the issue with him and sought some time.

Bhanot, however, said he was not aware of what was discussed during the meeting.

Bhanot said he had no knowledge of the Enforcement Directorate enquiring the dealings of the foreign companies with OC.

“Some foreign companies have completed their work and others are continuing,” he said.