HC grants bail to Suresh Kalmadi''s aide in CWG scam case

New Delhi, Jan 14 (PTI) T S Darbari, a close associateof the CWG Organising Committee Chairman Suresh Kalmadi, wastoday granted bail by the Delhi High Court after CBI failed tofile the chargesheet against him for alleged bunglings in theQueen Baton''s relay in London in 2009.

Darbari, former OC Joint Director General who is inTihar jail since his arrest on November 15, got the reprieveafter the CBI prosecutor informed the court that the agencycannot file the chargesheet within the stipulated 60 daysperscribed under the CrPC since investigations have not beencompleted.

"Darbari is admitted on bail on furnishing of apersonal and surety bond of Rs 50,000 each," Justice HimaKohli said.

According to the CrPC, an undertrial becomes entitledfor the grant of bail if the investigating agency fails tofile a chargesheet within two months of his arrest.

However, the hearing on the bail plea of co-accused MJayachandran, joint director (finance) in the OC, was deferredto January 17.

CBI has time till January 20 to file its chargesheetagainst Jayachandran, who was arrested on November 21, failingwhich he too would have to be released on bail.

Earlier, during the hearing, the accused took the pleathat they were not empowered to take decisions in the QBRevent at London as all major decisions were taken by the OC.

A lower court, however, had dismissed their bail pleassaying corruption in awarding the contracts by the OC hastarnished the image of the country and that the probe in thecase was at the nascent stage.

It had said that they (accused) being influential cantamper with the ongoing probe.

Third accused Sanjay Mahendroo, who has, so far notmoved his bail application, would also be released on theground of parity as he is also in jail for last 60 days. Hewas arrested along with Darbari.

The accused are facing charges of causing losses tothe exchequer in award of contract to the tune of Rs 1.55crore with regard to the QBR on October 29, 2009 in Londonbefore the mega sporting event.

CBI had registered two cases in connection withcontracts awarded to London-based A M Films and AM Car and VanHire Limited at exorbitant rates.

The agency had conducted searches at their premisesbesides the OC headquarters here.

The first case was registered by the CBI underdifferent Sections of IPC and Prevention of Corruption Act inrelation to the award of contract to AM car and Van HireLimited. .

The CBI has questioned Kalmadi and carried out searches at his premises in Delhi, Pune and Mumbai.

The agency has named Darbari, Mahendroo, Jayachandran,OC Director Raj Singh, Director of transport firm AshishPatel, and other unknown persons under sections 468 (forgeryof court records and public documents), 471 (using forgeddocuments as genuine), 120-B (criminal conspiracy) of IPC andPrevention of Corruption Act.

The second case involves London-based A M Films andthe probe agency had named Patel, Mahendroo, Darbari andothers under sections 420 (cheating), 120-B (criminalconspiracy) of IPC and Prevention of Corruption Act.

The accused are already facing charges of violation ofForeign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) and have beenquestioned by the Enforcement Directorate.

The ED had registered its first case under FEMA in CWGafter British authorities referred to the Indian HighCommission a matter regarding A M Films, a little-knowncompany, to which a huge sum of money was transferred throughthe Royal Bank of Scotland.