New Delhi:
Ousted Joint Director General of the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee and close Suresh Kalmadi aide T S Darbari has spoken out for the first time since the controversy over the allegedly out of turn and informal contract to a London firm broke out.
According to India Abroad news service, Darbari has written to the chief executive (CEO) of the Organising committee.
"A vicious, malafide, motivated media campaign has been launched targeting me personally for certain alleged acts of financial impropriety in connection with the Queen's Baton Relay launch event organised in London," says his letter to Jarnail Singh.
He has written, "The media has maligned him but he has faith in the management which will not let him be made a scapegoat."
Talking about the hiring of cars, video walls and other equipment during the Queen's Baton Relay function in London, Darbari has said that he was not a signatory to any decision to hire AM Car and Van or AM Films.
The letter makes the following points regarding the event that was attended by the Queen of England and President Pratibha Patil, among other dignitaries:- He was not a signatory to any decision taken for hiring of cars, video boards and other items for the event from M/S AM Car and Van Hire and M/S/ AM Films
- The entire matter relating to engagement of vendors, passing of bills and release of payments was handled by a committee constituted for the purpose
- The committee comprised three joint director generals: M Jeychandren for finance and accounts, Sanjay Mohindroo for marketing and Sudhir Verma for communications
- The e-mail in which the name of M/S AM Car and Van was purportedly recommended by the high commission in London was not sent to him directly, but forwarded by Mahindroo
Darbari, Mohindroo and Jeychandren were suspended by the Organising Committee on Thursday.
The said e-mail was purportedly dispatched by one Raju Sebastian of the Indian High Commission in London to Raj Singh, director with the Organising Committee, on September 16, and was then forwarded by Mohindroo to Darbari October 13.
Jarnail Singh heads the three-member panel that has been appointed to inquire into the charges of wrongdoing in OC. The other two are Gurjyot Kaur, Chief Vigilance Officer, and GC Chaturvedi, Special Director General (Finance and Accounts). (With IANS inputs)