Jharkhand Minister recommends CBI probe into National Games scam

Jharkhand Sports Minister Amar Kumar Bauri has recommended to hand over the case related to financial irregularities in 34th National Games to the CBI, an official said on Monday, adding that the file has been sent for approval of Chief Minister Raghubar Das.

Jharkhand had hosted the 34th National Games in Ranchi and Dhanbad in 2011.

A former Indian Revenue Service official had alleged that the instruments used for the games were purchased at higher rates, and had written to the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) seeking a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

Subsequently, the PMO had written to the Jharkhand government, asking for an appropriate action into the matter.

"Acting on the PMO's letter, the Sports Minister has recommended a CBI probe. After the approval of the Chief Minister, the case could be handed over to the CBI," an official of the Sports Department told IANS.

Currently, the state's Anti Corruption Bureau (ACB) is investigating the case.

After being named by the ACB in its charge-sheet, three of the four accused -- former Sports Director P.C. Mishra, Organising Committee Secretary S.M. Hasmi and then Treasurer of the Games Madhukant Pathak -- were sent to jail. At present, Mishra and Hasmi are out on bail while Pathak is still in jail.

Investigation is also going on against then Jharkhand Olympic Association President R.K. Anand.

--IANS

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