Kalmadi, Bhanot sacked from OC positions

The Delhi Commonwealth Games Organising Committee (OC) Chairman Suresh Kalmadi and Secretary General Lalit Bhanot were sacked today from their positions by Sports and Youth Affairs Minister Ajay Maken and their charge was handed over to Organising Committee Chief Executive Officer Jarnail Singh.

“The move comes in the light of ongoing investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) over allegations of corruption and irregularities in the organisation and conduct of the Commonwealth Games and the concerns expressed by CBI and in the interest of impartial and unhindered investigations,” said Maken.

Jarnail Singh told Business Standard: “I have received the orders from the ministry and will take charge of their work.”

Earlier, the government had defended not taking action against Kalmadi and his aides citing the issue of autonomy of OC.

Business Standard has learnt the decision to remove Kalmadi, also a Congress MP from Pune, was taken after asking the Attorney General, who advised the government that it had the power to do so.

Neither Kalmadi nor Bhanot were available for comment.

The sacking follows concerns raised by CBI Director A P Singh that the probe was being obstructed by the presence of Kalmadi and Bhanot in OC.

At present, the irregularities in the organisation of the CWG are being probed by CBI, Comptroller and Auditor General and the prime minister-appointed Shunglu Committee.