CWG: CBI files 2 cases against AM Films and AM Cars

CBI on Monday registered two cases in connection with alleged irregularities during the Queen`s Baton`s Relay in London.

New Delhi: Registering its first case in alleged irregularities in Commonwealth Games, CBI on Monday filed

two separate cases involving UK-based A M Films and former officials of CWG Organising Committee on charges of forgery and cheating in organising Queen`s Baton Relay in London. Immediately after registering the cases, the CBI carried out searches at four places in the national capital region including office of CWG Organising Committee, agency officials said. The searches were conducted at the residence of sacked Joint Director General T S Darbari, deputy director-general Sanjay Mahendroo and Raj Singh, a Director level officer in the OC, the officials said. Darbari and Mahendroo were suspended initially after reports of scam started appearing in the media. Both the officials were sacked later. The first case names London-based A M Car/Van Services and its owner Ashish Patel besides Darbari, Mahendroo and Singh under sections 468 (forgery of court records and public documents), 471 (Using forged documents as genuine), 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of IPC and Prevention of Corruption Act. The second case involves London-based A M Films, Patel, Mahendroo, Darbari and others under sections 420 (cheating), 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of IPC and Prevention of Corruption Act. As searches were on, the sacked officials were being questioned by the CBI about the Queen Baton Relay for which a grand function was held in London. The CBI had started looking into complaints related to alleged irregularities in Queen`s Baton Relay (QBR) event and is examining documents pertaining to it, including those related to transfer of funds. The Enforcement Directorate had registered its first case under FEMA in CWG after 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. According to the OC documents, the money transaction was justified by the members saying "in view of the short time available and the risk of the cancellation of the QBR event, the Committee decided to compare the quotes (of different vendors in London) and evaluate them, keeping in view the cost and time factor. "The Committee noted that out of the offers, the offer of A M Films, UK at GBP 127712 exclusive of taxes is cheaper compared to other vendors...The Committee therefore recommends that the lowest offer of the GBP 127712 received from AM Films, UK be accepted," it said. "The firm has asked for hundred per cent advanced payment and in view of the short time available and the risk of event cancellation, the committee recommends that the advance payment of hundred per cent may also be given to the firm (AM Films) to facilitate taking up the work in time," according to the documents. PTI