Booted out Kalmadi's letter over 'illegal firing'

New Delhi, Jan 25: The former CWG Organising Committee (CWG OC) chief Suresh Kalmadi finally broke his silence after the Sports Ministry on Jan 24 fired him.

Kalmadi wrote a letter to the ministry and claimed that his detention as "illegal."

Expressing shock over the sports ministry's sudden action, Kalamdi stated, "I am shocked to receive Order dated 24th January 2011, illegally and arbitrarily removing me from the position of Chairman of the Executive Board and the Organizing Committee of the Commonwealth Games. At the outset it is important for me to point out that I have extended all possible cooperation to all the investigating agencies, including the CBI."

Kalmadi in his letter also clarified that the order for "sacking" him was totally illegal as he stated, "I was elected as Chairman of the OC by the IOA General assembly on Nov 1, 2004. The IOA is an independent autonomous body and as per the Olympic Charter must remain free from Government interference. It is also relevant to point out that as per the Host city contract for the Commonwealth Games it is the responsibility of the IOA to establish the OC. The Sports Ministry is therefore not legally empowered to remove me."

OneIndia News