Kalmadi aide Jayachandran granted bail by HC in CWG case

New Delhi, Jan 19 (PTI) CWG Organising Committee officialM Jayachandran, arrested for alleged financial bunglings inholding Queen Baton''s Relay (QBR) in London in 2009, was todaygranted bail by the Delhi High Court.

Justice Hima Kohli granted bail to Jayachandran, a keyaide of the Commonwealth Games OC chairman Suresh Kalmadifollowing the CBI''s failure to wind up the probe and file thecharge sheet in the case within the stipulated 60-day period.

Justice Kohli enlarged Jayachandran on bail on a personalbond of Rs 50,000 with two sureties of the same amount.

Jayachandran, the OC Joint Director (Finance), had beenarrested by the CBI on November 21.

During the arguments on his bail plea on January 17, hiscounsel had pleaded innocence before the court, saying he had"no role which can be termed as a criminal act in the allegedfinancial irregularities in the QBR."

Jayachandran was taken into custody days after other twoco-accused T S Darbari and Sanjay Mahendroo were arrested onNovember 15. The duo too have already secured bail on theground of the CBI''s failure in concluding the probe and filingthe charge sheet. .

Jayachandran''s counsel had contended that the decision to award the contract for holding QBR was taken by the OC.

"I had to only see as to whether the contracts were dulyapproved or not. I had no other role," he had said.

The counsel for the CBI, however, had opposed the plea andfiled certain documents to buttress the charge that theaccused had played an active role in the case.

The three accused are facing charges of causing losses tothe exchequer in award of contract to the tune of Rs 1.55crore in holding the QBR on October 29, 2009, in London.

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