CBI to quiz Kalmadi today

Embattled Commonwealth Games Organising Committee chief Suresh Kalmadi will appear before the Central Bureau of Investigation tomorrow for questioning in connection with its probe into alleged financial irregularities in the conduct of the sports event, a fortnight after raids at his office and residences.

Official sources said Kalmadi was asked today to come to the CBI office for questioning and he has informed the investigating agency he would make his appearance tomorrow.

The chief of the Organising Committee (OC) is likely to be quizzed on a number of issues regarding the Games including alleged bungling in Queen’s Baton Relay. CBI officials had yesterday visited the Games OC office here and questioned some officials. Besides they had seized certain documents related to the Baton Relay and other contracts with various firms.

The sources said Kalmadi would also be asked questions about certain contracts given to foreign firms for carrying out overlays work for the Games in October last. CBI had late last month contacted Kalmadi over phone, asking him to appear before it for questioning but the OC chief had said he would be available only after January 3. Kalmadi had earlier in the day said he had not yet heard from CBI about possible date of his questioning. “I am yet to hear from CBI. As and when I am informed, I will be available. I am extending full cooperation to all investigating agencies,” he said. The sleuths have grilled Kalmadi’s three key aides in connection with the scam. Sources said Manoj Bhori, political advisor to the OC head, P K Srivastava and A K Sinha, assistants to Kalmadi, were also called in for interrogation.