CBI finally quizzes Kalmadi – too late, say some
05 Jan 2011
More than one and a half months after registering cases in connection with the alleged corruption in the organisation of the New Delhi Commonwealth Games, the Central Bureau of Investigation today questioned games organising committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi.
Kalmadi arrived mid-morning at the headquarters of the CBI in New Delhi, where detectives quizzed him over suspect contracts.
The games, which were marred by venue delays and poor organisation, were also hit by claims of massive financial irregularities as the budget ballooned to an estimated $6 billion (over Rs27,000 crore).
In late December, two and half months after the games had ended, police raided several residences used by Kalmadi, leading to criticism that the CBI had waited too long to gather evidence.
The CBI has also complained to the government that Kalmadi and his closest aide, Lalit Bhanot, were obstructing their investigation and recommended that they be removed from their posts.
Kalmadi, a 66-year-old former air force pilot with powerful political connections, has consistently protested his innocence in the face of fierce attacks from the media and political critics.