Games graft: Mahendroo to appear before CBI Jan 27
By IANSTuesday, January 25, 2011
NEW DELHI - A Delhi court Tuesday directed Sanjay Mahendroo, a close aide of former Commonwealth Games Organising Committee (OC) chairman Suresh Kalmadi, to appear before the CBI Jan 27 over alleged financial lapses during the Queen’s Baton Relay (QBR) in London last year.
He had offered to surrender in the case filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) over the QBR lapses. This is the second case against him on the issue.
Special Judge Talwant Singh disposed an application of Mahendroo, deputy director general in the OC, who had expressed his willingness to surrender.
In its order, the court asked Mahendroo to appear before the CBI Jan 27.
It, however, directed the probe agency not to stretch his questioning beyond seven hours and also asked it to allow presence of his lawyer during quizzing sessions.
“Let applicant (Mahendroo) be present before the CBI on Jan 27 and, thereafter, as and when his presence is required, he shall be given a notice of 48 hours in advance,” said Special CBI Judge Talwant Singh.
The court in its order mentioned that if Mahendroo’s day-to-day presence was required, he may be given notice.
Earlier during the proceeding, Mahendroo submitted before the court that he would be available to CBI for investigation from Thursday.
Responding to Mahendroo’s plea, the CBI contended that as of now the agency did not require his custody.
Mahendroo had filed the application Jan 20.
On Jan 15, a court granted bail to Mahendroo in the first case related to the QBR. He was given bail as the CBI failed to file a charge sheet against him within the stipulated 60 days of his arrest.
Mahendroo, along with two other OC officials, was arrested Nov 15 by the CBI in that case. The probe agency registered two cases in connection with contracts awarded to London-based AM Films and AM Car and Van Hire Limited at exorbitant rates.
No arrest has been made in connection with the second case involving AM Films UK Limited.
The CBI said Mahendroo and two others caused losses to the state exchequer in award of contract to the tune of Rs.1.55 crore with regard to the QBR in London before the Games started in October last year.
As per the prosecution’s allegation, the work of installation of video screens was awarded to AM Films UK Limited on the basis of fake quotation and even those quotations were not signed by the person who sent them.
