INDIAN police said today they had registered a case against the director-general of the Delhi Commonwealth Games, the most senior organiser of the tainted event named in a widening graft probe.
Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) spokeswoman Vineeta Thakur told reporters that police had registered a first information report against VK Verma, the first step in criminal proceedings against an accused.
Verma was director-general in the organising committee of the October 3-14 Games, headed by its chairman, Suresh Kalmadi, who was quizzed by federal CBI detectives for eight hours yesterday.
“Verma is named as the key accused in the case which we have registered against him and four companies,” she said, adding that the four Delhi-based firms were searched today.
Police said the case against Verma related to contracts, reportedly Rs6bn ($133.3m/£85.93m), awarded for the refurbishing of various stadiums of the scandal-hit Games.
Verma and the companies are suspected of cheating, criminal conspiracy and violating India’s tough anti-corruption laws.
In addition to searches at the four companies named in the case, CBI detectives carried out searches at another 10 premises in New Delhi and its suburbs today, a CBI source told reporters.
Police have so far charged three lower-ranking officials who are now in jail awaiting trial, but attention is turning to top managers, including Kalmadi, for their role.
The Games, which were marred by venue delays and chaotic organisation, were also hit by claims of massive financial irregularities as the budget ballooned three times to an estimated $6bn (£3.86bn).
The national anti-corruption watchdog, the Central Vigilance Commission (CVC), received complaints alleging up to $1.8bn (£1.16bn) of Games money was misappropriated.
