CBI corners Suresh Kalmadi

Raids at residence, offices in Delhi, Pune and Mumbai; seize a bag full of 'suspect' items

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) last morning raided 'Kalmadi House', the residence of the chairman of the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee, at Karve Road.

Around 7 am, a team of eight officials made its way to Kalmadi's house where his son Sameer and daughter-in-law Nandita were present.


CBI officials leave with a packet full of suspect items after the raid at Suresh Kalmadi's house in Pune

According to sources from the CBI department, a team from Mumbai and Pune worked together on the operation.

"It was the Mumbai branch that carried out the raid.

They informed us early morning that they needed a team to accompany them. Four inspectors from Pune and four from Mumbai then carried out the operation," said one of the sources.

The CBI team was present at Kalmadi's house till 11.30 am.
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Later, the team also raided Sai Petrol Pump owned by Kalmadi at Jangli Maharaj Road, his farmhouse at Khadakwasla and if sources are to be believed, even a popular gym at Kalyani Nagar.
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According to sources, Kalmadi's PA Vinod Surve and Manoj Bhor were also detained for enquiry.u00a0 A few days ago the CBI had also grilled Kalmadi's CWG colleagues Manoj Gore and Sangeeta Velingkar in Pune.

The CBI raid continued from 7 am to 4 pm, said PI Sahebrao Joshi, who was with the CBI team.

A bag-full

While leaving the residence at 6.15 pm, the team carried a blue-coloured bag but the officials refused to divulge details about the contents of the bag. They only confirmed that a few important things have been seized.

There were strong rumours that the team will further raid the Marathon Bhavan (Kalmadi's office) but Pralhad Sawant, organising secretary of Pune International Marathon, denied raids at Marathon Bhavan. "We have no connection with Delhi.

This is an independent sports activity," he said. The officials from the organistaion were present at Kalmadi's house throughout the raid.

Later in the day, an official spokesperson mentioned that the operation has been co-operated by the family member and staff.
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"Suresh Kalmadi wants his name cleared from the mess and he is confident that the team will not find anything controversial," said the spokesperson.

Another team raided his residence and offices in Delhi and Mumbai.