CWG corruption: CVC seizes documents from OC office

New Delhi: A team of Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) has seized documents from the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee office here to avoid any tampering of evidence in connection with the alleged multi-crore scam in various projects.

CVC sources said a team of technical examiners have taken custody of files containing thousands of pages for detailed examination. They said the crucial papers related to award of contracts for buying and hiring equipment, media and outdoor publicity and selection of officers for key posts in the OC among others are being assessed by its officers. "Our teams have been inquiring about different projects for over a month. A team of technical examiners have seized the documents to avoid any possible manipulation. They will be verified and necessary action will then be initiated," a CVC official, who did not wish to be identified, said. Sources said large-scale irregularities have been noticed in various works executed by the OC. They said Sandeep Wadwah of the Comfort Net-Nussli India consortium was yesterday questioned by Enforcement Directorate officials in connection with the probe into the alleged irregularities in preparation for the sporting extravaganza held in the national capital last month. The firm`s premises were also searched by the Income Tax department during its nationwide raids last month as part of its investigations into alleged tax evasion by firms involved in the Commonwealth Games preparations. Wadwah was not available for comments. The ED, which had already registered a case in connection with the Queens Baton Relay (QBR) in London, is also probing alleged violation of foreign exchange norms by the firms awarded contracts for overlay works. The consortiums, including foreign entities searched by the I-T department, were identified as PICO international and Deepali Designs, G L Litmus and Meroform consortium, Comfort Net and Nussli India consortium and ESG Arena and D-Art furniture and were estimated to have bagged contracts worth about Rs 800 crore, the sources said. The CVC is looking into at least 22 projects being carried out in the national capital. Out of which, six were being implemented by Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, four by Delhi Development Authority, three by Organising Committee and two each by Municipal Corporation of Delhi, Central Public Works Department and Government of Delhi.Meteorological Department and New Delhi Municipal Council is also being enquired. "Complaints regarding alleged irregularities in purchase of air conditioners, furniture and kitchen equipment for Commonwealth Games Village were received and being looked into," an official said. PTI