Kalmadi aide’s CBI custody extended

NEW DELHI - A Delhi court Thursday extended the CBI custody of former Commonwealth Games Organising Committee (OC) chief Suresh Kalmadi’s aide Shekhar Deorukhkar by two more days. He was sent to five-day remand Feb 12.

Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Special Judge O.P. Saini allowed the CBI’s plea to quiz him for two more days. Deorukhkar was arrested Feb 11 from Pune.

“I am satisfied that further police custodial interrogation is required to unearth the entire conspiracy. Accordingly, accused Deorukhkar is remanded to police custody til Feb 19,” he said.

Opposing the CBI plea, Deorukhkar’s counsel Hariharan told the court that the investigating officer (IO) slapped his client four times during interrogation, which was denied by the IO.

“There is no justification for extension of police custody remand,” said Hariharan.

Deorukhkar was arrested Feb 11 from Pune.

While seeking remand for Deorukhkar, CBI submitted a four-page remand application.

CBI contended before the court that Deorukhkar, Binu Nanu — the director of M/s Mero Form Indian Pvt Ltd (France) and M/s G.L. events Pvt Ltd — and V.K. Verma — DG of OC at that time — have caused huge loss to the government of India exchequer by awarding contracts to M/s Mero Form Indian Pvt Ltd (France), M/s G.L. events Pvt Ltd, M/s PICO Deepali overlays consortium (New Delhi), M/s Nussli (Switzerland), and M/s ESAJV:D Art Indo consortium at exorbitant rates to these companies.

“There is sufficient evidence on record which confirm that the accused (Deorukhkar) has accepted huge bribe amounts from the overlays suppliers for himself and other officials of OC, CWG 2010, in lieu for award of contracts at exorbitant rates and release of payments to all the five suppliers,” the CBI application says.

The Games were held in New Delhi Oct 3-14, 2010, marred by allegations of financial irregularities and corruption.

The CBI had earlier arrested three senior CWG officials - T.S. Darbari, Sanjay Mahendroo and M. Jayachandran. All the three were granted bail.

Binu Nanu, an official of a private firm who is in jail for his involvement in the row over grant of Rs.600 crore overlays contract for the CWG, was the fourth person to be picked up.

His bail plea is pending in the Delhi High Court.

Deorukhkar is the fifth person to be arrested in relation to the CWG scam.

CBI has also submitted in the application that since the investigation is not yet completed, his custody is needed.

“The accused is evasive in his replies and is not yet cooperating with the investigating agency,” the CBI said.