Maken says Kalmadi should not go to Olympics

Sports Minister Ajay Maken on Friday said though sacked CWG Organising Committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi, accused in a Games-related graft case, has been allowed by a Delhi Court to go to London for the upcoming Olympic Games, he should voluntarily desist from going to the mega event.

-Court allows Kalmadi to visit London for Olympics

"I don't think he should go unless he is cleared of all charges. He himself should volunteer not to go (to the London Games commencing July 27)," Maken said on the sidelines of NDTV's campaign event Marks for Sports.

The Minister's response came after Special CBI Judge Talwant Singh allowed Kalmadi's plea to visit London from July 26 to August 13, while ordering him to furnish a bond of Rs 10 lakh and a surety of the same amount.

The Court made it clear Kalmadi is allowed to visit London for the purpose of the Olympics only.

"Accused No. 1 (Kalmadi) is a member of International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) Council and resident of Asian Athletics Association (AAA) and arguments on charge on his behalf are already over. The arguments on charge of the other accused in the case are going on and it will take time in concluding."

"Accordingly, the application of Kalmadi is allowed," the Judge said.

Seeking the Court's permission to visit the United Kingdom for the Games, Kalmadi had also placed on record the invitation from IAAF Council and the general programme schedule of the Olympics and details of the ticket sent to him by the association's General Secretary Essar Gabriel.

The Lok Sabha MP from Pune and 10 others have been charge-sheeted by CBI under various provisions of IPC and Prevention of Corruption Act for "illegally" awarding contract to install Timing, Scoring and Results (TSR) system for the 2010 Commonwealth Games to Swiss Timing, causing a loss of over Rs 90 crore to the exchequer.