CWG scam: 3 top officials suspended after UK money trail report

Commonwealth Games organizing committee treasurer Anil Khanna was forced to resign from his post on Thursday, the day TOI highlighted the blatant case of conflict of interest in which the contract for laying the artificial tennis turf was given to a company whose distributor in India is headed by his son.

The OC has terminated its contract with Australia-based marketing agency SMAM - which was given the job of bringing in sponsors for the Games - with immediate effect on the ground of "non-performance". Again, it was TOI which highlighted how SMAM was set to get 15-23% commission on money given by PSU sponsors, none of which were brought in by SMAM.

On a day when the OC appeared focussed on fixing blame, if only to lower the heat on chairman Suresh Kalmadi, it suspended his key aide and Games joint director general T S Darbari, whose name has figured in the case involving forged emails and inflated payoffs to the London-based AM Films. The other person whose name has come up in this scam, Sanjay Mahindroo, is no longer with the OC.

Surprisingly, another joint director general M Jeychandren was also suspended. Jeychandren was the treasurer for the Queen's Baton Relay (for which AM Films was paid off). His name has, however, not figured so far in the controversy. Some insiders say he has been made a scapegoat.

The case against Darbari and Jeychandren has been referred to the Enforcement Directorate by the OC, Games spokesman Lalit Bhanot told a crowded press conference. Kalmadi ducked the press meet, though it was said earlier that he would address it.