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'CBI will soon arrest Kalmadi, Bhanot'

February 19, 2011 15:32 IST

Former chairman of the Commonwealth Organising committee and Indian Olympic Association President Suresh Kalmadi will soon be arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation for his role in the CWG scams, say sources.

Kalmadi's close aide and former general secretary of CWG OC Lalit Bhanot is also facing imminent arrest, according to sources.

The Congress leader and his aides are being probed by the CBI for causing losses worth several crores to the government by favouring certain firms while awarding contracts for the Games.

Kalmadi has been accused of awarding contracts for the Queen's Baton Relay to certain firms at inflated costs.

According to sources, CBI has been gearing up for Kalmadi's arrest for the last two weeks and has already arrested some of his close aides.

But the agency had faced allegations of deliberately proceeding slowly on the case.

"If the CBI can summon DMK chief Karunandihi's daughter Kanimozhi for questioning in connection with the 2G scam, then why is the agency proceeding slowly in Kalmadi's case," queried a senior member of the DMK.

"We are not going slow," said a high ranking officer of the CBI. He added that the agency has already unearthed crucial evidence against Kalmadi and it was only a matter of time before he was arrested.

Onkar Singh in New Delhi