C'wealth Games scam: Kalmadi's aide claims innocence in Delhi high court

M Jayachandran, a close aide of Commonwealth Games (CWG) Organising Committee (OC) chairman Suresh  Kalmadi, today told the Delhi high court that he had no role in alleged bunglings in Queen Baton's relay (QBR) held in London in 2009.

"I had no role which can be termed as a criminal act in the alleged financial irregularities in the QBR," the counsel for Jayachandran told a bench of Justice Hima Kohli.

Jayachandran, a joint director (finance) in CWG OC who was arrested on November 21, has moved a bail application.

Co-accused TS Darbari and Sanjay Mahendroo, who were arrested on November 15, have already been granted bail on statutory grounds as CBI failed to file the chargesheet in the case within stipulated 60 days time.

During the hearing, Jayachandran's counsel said the decision to award the contract in holding QBR was taken by the OC.

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

The counsel for CBI, however, opposed the plea and filed some documents to buttress the allegation that the accused had an active role in the case.

The court has posted the matter for further hearing on January 19.

Jayachandran, like two co-accused, could also be entitled to bail on statutory ground if CBI fails to file the chargesheet against him by January 20.

The three accused are facing charges of causing losses to the exchequer in award of contract to the tune of Rs1.55 crore with regard to the QBR on October 29, 2009, in London before the mega sporting event.

CBI has registered two cases in connection with contracts awarded to London-based AM Films and AM Car and Van Hire Limited at exorbitant rates.