Queen's Baton Relay documents being examined by CBI

The CBI is looking into complaints related to alleged irregularities in Queen's Baton Relay (QBR) event and is examining documents pertaining to it, including those related to transfer of funds.

A senior CBI official said photocopies of available files have been handed over by officials of Commonwealth Games organising committee.

These documents are being examined by the agency and no decision on whether to register a case has been taken so far, sources said.

When contacted CBI's press Information officer RK Gaur refused to divulge any information on this and maintained that neither a regular case has been registered nor a preliminary enquiry initiated by the agency.

He, however, said the CBI had received over a dozen complaints which were being verified. "The agency is working in close coordination with the comptroller and auditor general, Central Vigilance Commission and the Enforcement Directorate," he added.

The Enforcement Directorate had registered its first case under FEMA after British authorities referred to the Indian High Commission a matter regarding AM Films, a little-known London-based company, to which a huge sum of money was transferred through the Royal Bank of Scotland.

According to the organising committee documents, the money transaction was justified by the members saying "in view of the short time available and the risk of the cancellation of the QBR event, the committee decided to compare the quotes (of different vendors in London) and evaluate them, keeping in view the cost and time factor.

"The committee noted that out of the offers, the offer of AM Films, UK at GBP 127712 exclusive of taxes is cheaper compared to other vendors...The committee therefore recommends that the lowest offer of the GBP 127712 received from AM Films, UK be accepted," it said.

"The firm has asked for hundred per cent advanced payment and in view of the short time available and the risk of event cancellation, the committee recommends that the advance payment of hundred per cent may also be given to the firm (AM Films) to facilitate taking up the work in time," according to the documents.

The alleged violation under FEMA, that the ED is probing, was related to the arrangement of this 100% advance payment to AM Films.