Kalmadi rebuts High Commission claim, shows email

New Delhi: A day after organising committee (OC) chairperson , Suresh Kalmadi, denied any allegations of wrongdoing in the hiring of vendors during the Queen’s Baton Relay function in London last year, he followed it up with documents which he claimed proved the OC’s stand.

Citing a copy of the email communication that went on between the OC and Raju Sebastian of the Indian High Commission in UK, Kalmadi said the communication made it apparent that the vendors selected by the OC were recommended by the High Commission.

The Indian Olympic Association chief insisted the UKbased firm at the centre of a corruption row that has hit OC was recommended by the Indian High Commission.

The Indian High Commission on Saturday had denied recommending A M Films, the little-known UK-based firm which allegedly received lakhs of pounds for providing its ‘services’ during the Queen’s Baton Relay in London.
Kalmadi refuted the claim and asserted the High Commission’s protocol official Raju Sebastian made the recommendation . He also rejected the Commission’s contention that Sebastian was ‘‘ too junior an official to make any recommendation on behalf of the High Commission’’.

"The OC would like to clarify we had written to Vikrant Ratan, the first secretary (protocol ) of the Indian High Commission , to provide us the list of agencies for transportation, accommodation and other services and their approved rates. In response, Raju Sebastian of the Protocol division of the Indian High Commission, giving reference to our mail to the first secretary Vikrant Ratan, informed the approved vendors for transport are AM Car and Van and the Chauffeur Company," said Kalmadi.

The OC officials distributed copies of the email communication to media representatives, citing the email reportedly received from the High Commission which gives the name of the vendor as well as the rates that are used by it. Interestingly , one of the officials, Sanjay Mahendroo, who had been cited in the email between officilas of the OC and the High Commission has already left the organisation.