Three Games officials sacked on graft charge

Amid allegations of widespread corruption, the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee (OC) today suspended three senior officials on charges of financial lapses and terminated the contract of an Australian firm, Sports Marketing and Management (SMAM), for non-performance.

Earlier in the day, the Games Treasurer, Anil Khanna, quit after media reports alleged that another Australian firm, Rebound Ace, had won the contract to lay tennis courts for the event because his son headed its Indian unit.

Addressing a press conference, OC Secretary General Lalit Bhanot said Joint Director Generals T S Darbari and M Jeyachandran, and Deputy Director General Sanjay Mohindroo were suspended after a three-member panel gave its report on charges of corruption during last year’s Queen’s Baton Relay launch in London. The panel was set up by OC Chairman Suresh Kalmadi on August 3.

“An inquiry into this matter would be done by the Enforcement Directorate,” Bhanot said. The OC has also decided to terminate the contract of SMAM for ‘non-performance’ and ‘overlay issues’.

“No money has been paid to the company as they did not provide us with the relevant documents. They failed to deliver their targets,” Bhanot said. On Khanna’s resignation, he said: “I understand he has taken moral responsibility for the financial irregularities that have taken place.”

Khanna has been replaced by Ashok Mattoo, who was the treasurer four months ago.

Kalmadi was conspicuous by his absence at the press conference. When asked if Kalmadi should take moral responsibility for the mess, Bhanot said: “It is difficult to own responsibility. There are 1,500 people working in the OC. Senior management is not directly controlling the OC staff.”