CWG scam: Kalmadi gets chargesheet, documents

Disgraced CWG OC Chairman Suresh Kalmadi, accused of irregularities in awarding of TSR contract for the Commonwealth Games to a Swiss firm at an exorbitant cost causing a loss of over Rs 90 crore to the exchequer, was today provided by a Delhi Court with the copy of the charge sheet and other documents.

Kalmadi, who was produced before Special CBI Judge Talwant Singh, was given the hard copy of the charge sheet while the supporting documents running into 10,000 pages were handed over to him in electronic form.

The judge had offered Kalmadi and four other accused a choice whether they would like to have the hard copy of the documents or they prefer them in e-form through pen drive or CD.

Kalmadi, CWG OC Director General (Procurement) Surjit Lal and Joint Director-General (Sports) ASV Prasad were produced before the Judge in compliance with yesterday's order asking the Tihar Jail authority to produce them before him.

Games OC Secretary General Lalit Bhanot and former Director General VK Verma, whose judicial custody expired today, also appeared before the court.

Barring Surjit Lal, all the four accused asked the court to provide them the documents in e-form.

The court extended the judicial custody of all the five accused till June 6.

The arguments on bail applications of Lal and Prasad will be taken up on May 26. The arguments on the additional facts being put forth by Kalmadi to prove his innocence will also be taken up the same day.

The Judge also asked all the five accused to appoint one advocate each to appear before the court to avoid confusion.

In its first charge sheet filed on May 20, CBI has indicted them, four private persons and two firms including Swiss Timing for various offences, including those of criminal conspiracy under Section 120(B), cheating (Section 420), forgery (Section 468 and 471) of Indian Penal Code and the Prevention of Corruption Act.

The court had yesterday, after taking cognizance of the charge sheet, given a go-ahead for their prosecution.