C'Wealth Games probe: Emaar-MGF’s bank guarantee seized

The Rs183-crore bank guarantee furnished by Commonwealth Games village builder Emaar-MGF was ordered to be confiscated on charges of irregularities, as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) prepared to question top officials of the organising committee, including secretary general Lalit Bhanot, for alleged foreign exchange violations. Legal action would also be taken against the builders for recovery of other expenditures.

DNA had reported on Tuesday that at least three top officials have been sent notices to join investigations under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). Senior ED officials, however, denied media reports that Bhanot was questioned on Wednesday.

The office of the organising committee saw more action on Wednesday as teams from the Comptroller and Auditor General, Central Bureau of Investigation, Enforcement Directorate and Central Vigilance Commission scanned their premises for documents pertaining to contracts.

A CAG team reportedly picked up files pertaining to construction, public address systems, LED display boards and other communication systems used during the Games. The work on these was carried out by central public works department and Delhi development authority.

Probe teams also met senior officials in the ticketing department, including ticketing director Monica Jolly. There was a huge controversy over availability of tickets during the Games. While counters showed “house full or sold out” boards, stadiums were empty.