Suresh Kalmadi finally taken into CBI custody

Congress MP from Pune Suresh Kalmadi, who was interrogated extensively by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) over financial irregularities in the hosting of the Commonwealth Games (See: Suresh Kalmadi grilled by CBI again, to be arrested soon), was finally arrested today.

The CBI has charged Kalmadi, who headed the organising committee for the high-profile games, of criminal conspiracy and cheating under sections 120B and 420 of the Indian Penal Code. He has also been charged under the Prevention of Corruption Act. He will be produced in court on Tuesday.

Several of Kalmadi's associates, including key aides Lalit Bhanot, former secretary-general of the Commonwealth Games organising committee, and V K Verma, the former director-general of the committee, have already been arrested in the case.

The organising committee headed by Kalmadi has been accused of giving contracts at exorbitant rates to favoured companies.

Kalmadi's arrest is directly linked to two cases of irregularities involving a UK-based firm and a Swiss company.

Accused of financial irregularities, the Congress lawmaker was grilled by CBI sleuths in Delhi from early this morning.

Interrogated on a few occasions earlier by the CBI, Kalmadi has been avoiding meeting its officials of late. He was, however, directed to appear before it on Monday.