Kalmadi aide arrested in CWG overlays scam

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) today arrested Deorukhkar Shekhar, a close aide of former Commonwealth Games (CWG) Organising Committee Chairman Suresh Kalmadi, in Pune in connection with multi-crore rupee overlays scam in the mega sporting event held last year.

The agency had registered a fresh case under various sections of the law for award of contracts for overlays at different venues for Commonwealth Games at exorbitant rates, a CBI spokesperson said here.

Personal Assistant of Kalmadi, Shekhar was produced before a court in Pune for transit remand. Nearly Rs 600 crore of contracts relating to the overlays project are under the scanner.

Overlays works included supply of tents, marquees, prefabricated units, portable toilets, containers, security fences, furniture, public display LED boards, floor finishes, material handling equipment, gensets, cabling, UPS, air-conditioners, lighting, civil construction, athletic exercise equipment and grandstands.

The agency had conducted a number of searches in certain premises across the country early in January in connection with the scam in the Games, including those of an officer under Union Sports Ministry.

The overlays contracts are also under the scanner of the Income Tax Department and the Enforcement Directorate.

CBI had earlier registered three FIRs for alleged corruption in the projects and events in the run up to the sporting extravaganza.

Two of these cases were in connection with alleged irregularities in the Queen's Baton Relay.