CWG QBR scam: Court orders framing of charges against accused

A Delhi court today ordered framing of charges against three former CWG Organising Committee (OC) officials and others, including two UK-based firms, in a case of alleged financial bungling during the 2009 Queen's Baton Relay (QBR) in London before the mega sporting event here.
Special Judge Ajay Kumar Jain ordered framing of charges against the six accused for alleged offences under section 120-B (criminal conspiracy) read with sections 420 (cheating), 468 (forgery for the purpose of cheating) and 471 (using as genuine a forged document) of the IPC and under relevant provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
The court observed in its order that these accused were prima facie found to have committed the alleged offences.

"List the matter for framing of charge for February 23. All the accused persons are directed to be present on the next date of hearing," the court said in its order.
The court directed OC' s former Deputy Director General Sanjay Mahendroo, former Treasurer M Jaychandran, London-based businessman Ashish Patel and his two firms M/s A M Car and Van Hire Ltd and A M Films UK Ltd, to remain present before it on February 23 for formal framing of charges.
Charges were also ordered to be framed against OC's then Joint Director General T S Darbari. All the accused have denied the allegations levelled against them by CBI.

The CBI had lodged two separate cases against the ex-OC officials but had filed a combined charge sheet in the court.

All the accused are on bail as the CBI had not filed the charge sheet within the statutory time limit of 60 days after the arrest of accused in corruption cases. Patel was summoned as accused after the court took cognisance of CBI's charge sheet filed in the case.
In its charge sheet, CBI had alleged that the OC members had conspired to award contracts for local transportation and other services to Patel's firms at exorbitant rates during the 2009 QBR event held in London.

These three former OC officials were booked for alleged irregularities in payments made to A M Car and Van Hire Ltd for transportation services during the QBR.
According to CBI, while AM Films was awarded the work of installing three video screens near Buckingham Palace during the event, A M Cars was given the contract for providing logistics.