CWG scam: More trouble brewing for Kalmadi

In what could spell more trouble for former CWG OC chief Suresh Kalmadi, UK-based Ashish Patel, owner of AM Films and AM Vans, has testified in London on Tuesday relating to the irregularities in organising the Queen’s Baton Relay event in October 2009.

Zeenews Sports Bureau

London: In what could spell more trouble for former CWG OC chief Suresh Kalmadi, UK-based Ashish Patel, owner of AM Films and AM Vans, has testified in London on Tuesday in the case relating to the irregularities in organising the Queen’s Baton Relay event in October 2009. According to the allegations, Kalmadi gave inflated contracts to AM films for services rendered during the Queen’s Baton Ceremony in London and for that, the UK businessman was paid about a quarter of a million pounds, 100 per cent in advance. Prior to the event, key Kalmadi aide T S Darbari and former OC member, Sanjay Mohindroo, had allegedly doctored the documents to show that AM Films was recommended by Indian High Commission in London for various services. But after his sacking, Darbari had hit back at Kalmadi saying the whole deal went through after being approved by Kalmadi himself. Ashish Patel’s statement is key in nailing Kalmadi for his role in the case. In its FIR on the QBR irregularities, the CBI had earlier said that Patel — owner of AM Films and AM Cars & Vans — had allegedly bagged two contracts from the OC through irregular means. The OC’s deal with AM Films was over the installation of three video screens near the Buckingham Palace, while it had awarded a contract to AM Cars & Vans for the provision of logistics. And vehicles were allegedly hired at exorbitant rates from AM Films and AM Vans.