On a day when the embattled Commonwealth Games organising committee (OC) chairman Suresh Kalmadi constituted a three- member panel to probe the alleged financial irregularities, it emerged that Ashish Patel, whose company is involved in dealings, was disqualified for seven years by the UK registrar of companies (RoC) this March.
Kalmadi caved in to mounting pressure over financial irregularities in deals with the UK- based AM Cars and Vans and AM Films and set up a three- member committee, headed by OC chief executive Jarnail Singh. The other members in the committee are GC Chaturvedi, special director general (finance), and chief vigilance officer Gurjyot Kaur.
The main issue under the scanner is the hiring of digital screen and other equipment for the start of Queen’s Baton Relay function at Buckingham Palace in London on October 29 last year.
It is alleged that the OC paid £ 2.45 lakh for its services hired for the function at which Indian President Pratibha Patil was also present. Kalmadi has, however, denied any wrongdoing.
But it has been revealed by the UK RoC that Patel was disqualified as a director on March 17 this year for seven years, till March 16, 2017. The RoC has cited Section 7 of the Company Directors Disqualification Act, 1986, for barring Patel. The section particularly deals with disqualification procedures and reasons for a director of an insolvent firm.
Meanwhile, the decision to set up the probe panel came just hours after Kalmadi was summoned by external affairs minister SM Krishna over the authenticity of the letters issued by the Indian High Commission in UK that the OC chief has furnished in his defence.
“ He (Kalmadi) sought time yesterday and went to see Mr Krishna to discuss the issue,” OC secretary general Lalit Bhanot said on Tuesday.
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