CBI's CWG probe questioned by court

The Central Bureau of Investigation's probe into the Commonwealth Games scam on Wednesday came under the scanner, with a Delhi court asking it why the agency has not arrested the officials of the Organising Committee, who allegedly accepted huge bribes for awarding contracts at exorbitant rates.

"Why are you not arresting the receivers of the bribe amount," Special CBI Judge O P Saini said.

The court's remarks came after the CBI had apprised it that a huge bribe has been paid to the OC officials by overlays suppliers in award of contracts.

The court was holding the proceedings related to CBI's plea seeking custody of K Udai Kumar Reddy, additional director general of OC and Praveen Bakshi, director of ESJAV:D Art:Indo Consortium, who were arrested on Tuesday in connection with alleged irregularities in overlays supply.

The court remanded the duo to CBI's custody for five days after the probe agency submitted that they are "required for confrontation with other conspirators to find out the money trail."

Special Public Prosecutor Akhilesh, appearing for CBI, submitted that Bakshi had paid a huge bribe to the officials of the OC in return for getting contracts at exorbitant rates and release of payments. He said Reddy had accepted the bribe amount from Baskhi.

CBI, in its remand application, said the probe was at an initial stage and in order to "unearth the nexus between OC officials and private firms", they need sustained custodial interrogation of the duo.

The CBI custody remand was opposed by advocate Satya Narayan Vashisth, appearing for Reddy, and advocate Amit Khemka, appearing for Bakshi, on the ground that there was no incriminating material against them and they have been co-operating with the investigating agency.

The counsel for both the accused alleged that the CBI did not allow them to meet their clients after they were arrested.

They claimed that the probe agency is not giving any basis for seeking the custody. The CBI has not even said how much amount has been paid and to whom, said the lawyers

They said CBI might 'extort their confession' if both the accused are remanded to its custody.