The Central Information Commission has issued summons to Organising Committee of the Commonwealth Games, asking it to submit all documents related to alleged discrepancies in the ticketing, Queen’s Baton Relay and the conduct of the Games.The transparency watchdog also directed Indian Olympic Association to present all records pertaining to election of Suresh Kalmadi as its Chairperson.
Issuing a common order to the IOA and the OC, Information Commissioner M.L. Sharma asked the Central Public Information Officer of both the bodies to “appear in person” on November 16 and present their case during the hearing of complaints and appeals against the bodies.
The Commission also directed the officials to bring along all the officials whose help they have taken while processing of the RTI applications received in this regard.
“In case of your non-appearance or that of the officer whose assistance has been taken under section 5(4) of the RTI Act, the matter will be heard and decided on the basis of the record,” the notice said.
The Commission also warned the sports bodies that “no adjournment” will be given “in any circumstances” and they should provide their comments two days before the date of hearing.
The cases relates to complaints received by the transparency panel from S.C. Agrawal against the non-disclosure of information by the OC about the alleged corruption issues regarding the Queen Baton’s Relay held in London last as part of Commonwealth Games and issues in passes and ticketing which allegedly resulted in poor attendance at the venues.
He has also asked Organising Committee the details of election of Suresh Kalmadi as its Chairman.
During the Queen’s Baton Relay in London, several alleged financial discrepancies surfaced when British authorities referred to the Indian High Commission a matter regarding A.M. Films, a little-known London-based company, to which a huge sum of money was transferred through the Royal Bank of Scotland.
The Enforcement Directorate has registered a case under Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) in this regard and questioned suspended Joint Director General T.S. Darbari, a close aide of OC chairman Suresh Kalmadi, and Deputy Director General Sanjay Mohindroo in this regard.
The Organising Committee had suspended Mr. Darbari, Mr. Mohindroo and Joint Director General (Accounts and Finance) M. Jaychandran on August 5 for their alleged role in irregularities in the Queen’s Baton Relay in London.
