Suresh Kalmadi arrested by CBI

Suresh Kalmadi, sacked CWG organising committee chief, was today arrested by the CBI over alleged irregularities in the conduct of the sporting extravaganza, ending months of speculation.

Official sources said 67-year-old Kalmadi, who was called to the agency's new swanky headquarters for questioning earlier in the day, was put under arrest in the evening.

The CBI's action came following the visit to London by a two-member team of the agency in connection with Queen Baton Relay (QBR) scam.

The CBI claimed to have gathered fresh leads after the trip of its team to London in connection with cases related to alleged irregularities in hiring of AM Films and AM Car and Van Hire Limited during QBR held in 2009 at exorbitant rates.

The team has spoken to the London-based owner of both the companies -- Ashish Patel -- who has provided information and documents with regard to the allegedly overvalued deal, the sources said.

AM Car and Van Hire company in London was engaged during QBR in 2009 to provide services like taxis for the guests and OC members. The AM films was hired to provide display monitors during the event.

The agency had asked Kalmadi to appear before it in order to clarify some new issues which surfaced during the London visit of the officials.

Kalmadi had earlier expressed his inability to appear before the CBI citing his foreign visit, saying he would return home only after April 19. But even after returning from his visit abroad, he did not turn up before the agency saying he was still not in Delhi.

The CBI team during their visit to London had also questioned other companies which were in the fray for the contract.

The agency had sent a two-member team comprising Additional Director V K Gupta and DIG S K Palsania to London to probe the payments made to the two companies allegedly with Kalmadi's tacit approval, they said.

This is the third time that Kalmadi has appeared before the investigating agency for facing questions relating to the CWG scam.