CWG Scam: Heads roll,Kalmadi aides suspended

Meanwhile,M Jeychandran – Joint director general,finance and accounts – was suspended for his questionable role in handling the budget and disbursing funds for the Queen’s Baton Relay ceremony.

As reported by The Indian Express on August 3,Jeychandran gave money to former deputy director general of the Games organising committee,Sanjay Mohindroo,who eventually paid AM Films and AM Car and Van Hires. Mohindroo had resigned from the Games panel two to three months ago.

The organising committee has also suspended the contract with Australia based firm Sports Marketing and Management with “immediate effect” reportedly for non-performance. The firm was hired by the committee to bring in sponsorships. It was,however,not able to bring any international sponsors. The Indian Express had first reported on SMAM on April 20 on how they were promised commissions between 15 and 22.5 per cent for all sponsorship garnered by the Commonwealth organising committee even if it came from public sector units. This arrangement stood regardless of the fact whether SMAM actually brought in the sponsorships or not.

The Sports Ministry had recently shot off a letter to organising committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi to immediately sack Darbari. The letter,written by Sports Secretary Sindhushree Khullar to Kalmadi,stated: “With the Games just two months away,matters such as the above (the UK payments and an alleged Customs inquiry against Darbari) raise questions of probity and integrity of officers in the OC. They tarnish the image of the Games and adversely affect its credibility… I would strongly advise you that the above two officers should be immediately relieved of all their duties in the OC and the Government informed accordingly…”

Darbari is an alumnus of St Stephen’s College and Britain’s Hull University,from where he completed the course in Master of Business Administration. He has held various posts including those in the cabinet secretariat,the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation,the Petroleum ministry and the Union Bank of India.