Kalmadi aide found guilty, may be axed today

An Indian Olympic Association (IOA) panel, which is probing charges of alleged financial irregularities and extravagant spending in the organisation of the Commonwealth Games, may ask Joint Director of Commonwealth Games Organising Committee (CWG OC) TS Darbari to quit.

The three-member panel is looking into various allegations of irregular financial transactions. One of them is against AM films, a little known UK firm that had provided specific services in London, during the Queen's Baton Relay. It was later alleged that the firm was paid 250,000 pounds without any written contract.

CNN-IBN has learnt that Darbari may be asked to vacate his post during Thursday's executive board meeting. He is considered to be close to IOA president and Chairman of the OC Suresh Kalmadi. Darbari's removal could be ordered once the probe report is out.

Sources say the probe panel is likely to blame Darbari for CWG Queen's Baton Relay irregularities in London. It is also likely to ask for the review of conditions of the contract of the Australian Company SMAM.

Darbari is a key face of the OC, and heads important functional areas like revenue, marketing and merchandise. He came under the scanner six months ago when he was accused of smuggling a diamond ring worth Rs 28 lakh from Dubai. He is also considered to be close to many politicians.

Earlier, the Sports Ministry had written a letter to the IOA asking it to remove two top officials including Darbari. The Ministry had asked Kalmadi to sack Darbari because he was being investigated in a customs duty evasion case.