Delhi Games chief sacked in corruption probe

Delhi Commonwealth Games chief Suresh Kalmadi and another top official were sacked by the Indian Sports Ministry on Monday as investigations continue into corruption allegations surrounding the October Games.

Ajay Maken, who replaced Manohar Singh Gill as the Sports and Youth Affairs Minister on Wednesday, said Games Organising Committee chairman Kalmadi and secretary general Lalit Bhanot have been dismissed with immediate effect.

"...the move comes in light of the ongoing investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation over allegations of corruption and irregularities in organisation and conduct of Commonwealth Games 2010 and...in the interest of impartial and unhindered investigations," Maken's office said in a statement.

The $6 billion Commonwealth Games turned out to be a major national embarrassment with corruption charges swirling around the event, which was also plagued by shoddy construction and gross mismanagement.

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