NEW DELHI/LONDON: In a new twist to the major scam in the Commonwealth Games, Organising Committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi on Saturday said the British company to which large sums were paid had been recommended by the Indian High Commission which refuted the claim in London.
Kalmadi, who convened a press conference in Delhi to clear the air, said the Indian High Commission had recommended the name of AM Films, a little known British company, and "if there is something wrong there, I am not responsible for it".
Reacting to remarks made by Kalmadi, India's Deputy High Commissioner in London said that "the High Commission has not made any (such) recommendation".
Dwelling on the issue, High Commission spokesman said, "AM Films is not on the panel of companies recommended by the High Commission usually".
The spokesman said, "we have to scrutinise the email Kalmadi is holding as proof of the High Commission's recommendation".
Kalmadi had shown a communication purportedly sent by Raju Sebastian, an assistant in the Indian mission, recommending the name of the British company. High Commission sources said Sebastian was too junior a staffer to have been entrusted with this task.
AM Films was reportedly given over 4.50 lakh pounds by the OC without following any proper tendering procedure and there was no paper work. Kalmadi has rubbished allegations of wrongdoings.
The Times of India
