The CBI is getting statement of UK-based Ashish Patel, owner of AM Films and AM Vans, an accused in the case related to irregularities.
Adding woes to former CWG organising committee chief Suresh Kalmadi’s troubles, the CBI is getting statement of UK-based Ashish Patel, owner of AM Films and AM Vans, an accused in the case related to irregularities in organising the Queen’s Baton Relay event in London.
Kalmadi is lodged in Tihar jail and currently facing trial in the Time Scoring Result (TSR) system scam.
Scotland Yard has recorded Patel’s statement and the London police is handing it to the CBI through ministry of external affairs (MEA).
The CBI registered two cases against OC officials and Patel on November 15, 2010 related to irregularities in the QBR event in London in October 2009.
The case relates to alleged fudging of transport payments for the event, as part of the CWG ceremonies.
However, the investigation agency could not file charge sheet as it was waiting for a response to the Letters Rogatory from the UK.
Sacked OC chief Suresh Kalmadi had allegedly authorised payments to Patel’s firms at exorbitant rates.
The CBI has not been able to quiz Patel, despite its top officials visiting London. The agency had sent a two-member team to London to probe the payments made to the two companies allegedly with Kalmadi’s tacit approval. Later, the CBI sought assistance from Scotland Yard to get his statement.
“Last month, we received a set of documents from Scotland Yard, but it did not have the statement of Ashish Patel, which is crucial for our case. As he is a key player in the scam, we have requested Scotland Yard to record his statement. Now, they have recorded his detailed statement, which will be delivered to us by next week,” a senior CBI official told DNA.
Earlier this month, the CBI director raised this issue with his UK counterparts during the 80th general assembly of Interpol at Hanoi, Vietnam. And the London police assured him of Patel’s recorded statement.
“To file charge sheet in the case, we needed Patel’s statement. Once we get it, we will file the charge sheet. Our probe establishes quid pro quo was given to OC officials by Patel’s company to get tender,” the official added.
In its FIR on the QBR irregularities, the CBI 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.
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