Darbari, Mahendroo face money laundering charges

CBI set to invoke PMLA against Kalmadi aides

The noose around those involved in the Commonwealth Games scam is tightening with two senior Organising Committee (OC) officials being set to face money laundering charges.


TS Darbari after being produced in a CBI court in connection with a
forgery case relating to the Queen's Baton Relay in London, in New
Delhi on Tuesday. PICs/Imtiyaz Khan

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) that arrested former OC joint director general TS Darbari and former OC deputy director general Sanjay Mahendroo late Monday night in connection with the misappropriation of funds allocated for the Queen's Baton Relay. Sources told MiD DAY that the central investigating agency will bring money laundering charges against the two officials.

"The CBI had a named FIR and if it would invoke Prevention of Money Laundering Policy Act (PMLA) then it would also help the Enforcement Directorate to go in for a detailed investigation and involves arrests as well as attachment of properties," they said.

The Enforcement Directo
rate is looking into charges under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA).
At present, a PMLA case can be registered against an individual or a company only after a criminal FIR is registered either by the police, vigilance department or other investigative agencies like the CBI.

Meanwhile, a Delhi court remanded the former CWG officials in six days police custody on Tuesday for unearthing money trail in a forgery and cheating case relating to Queen's Baton Relay in London last year.
"Both the accused were apprehended yesterday. Their further custodial interrogation is required to unearth the conspiracy and the names of other possible co-accused. They are remanded to police custody till November 22," Special CBI Judge A S Yadav said.

Both Darbari and Mahendroo are considered to be close associates of OC chairman Suresh Kalmadi. Earlier, a CBI lawyer moved an application seeking seven-day custody.