Kalmadi’s fate hangs in balance as UK firm sends bill

The UK firm accused of receiving inflated payments from the organisers of the Commonwealth Games (CWG) has reportedly sent a bill to the organising committee (OC) of £122,692 (Rs89.52 lakh) as unpaid dues for services during the Queen's Baton Relay.

This email to top OC officials from Ashish Patel of AM Car & Van came as recently as 2 August, right in the middle of the controversy that gripped the OC and prompted its chairman Suresh Kalmadi to deny any charges of wrongdoing, says an Indian Express report.

On 4 August, when Kalmadi said he was open to any probe, he made no mention of this note from AM Car & Van.

The email, senior officials admit, suggests discrepancies in payments made to AM Car & Van and its sister concern AM Films. A total of £384,000 was paid to these firms since October 2009.

Three OC officials have been either dismissed or suspended following allegations of ''financial irregularities'' in the AM deal as well as other controversies.

Meanwhile, the sword of Damocles continues to hang over Kalmadi. A core group of the Congress will meet today to discuss the matter.

On Thursday he was accused of irregularities in the purchase of sporting equipment for National Games in Jharkhand.

A section of the Congress wants an oversight body to be appointed to resume the functioning of the Commonwealth Games. The committee could consider the demand for a ''super panel'' to oversee the games.