"I am innocent till proven guilty," a beleaguered Suresh Kalmadi said today after CBI raided his house here and questioned him for eight hours over allegations of bungling in the conduct of the sporting extravaganza.
Trying to put up a brave front, Kalmadi, the Commonwealth Games Organising Committee chairman, told reporters outside his residence, "I have not taken any decision alone. All decisions have been taken by the Executive Board".
He went on to say that the OC was given a budget of Rs.1,500 crore which is "four to five per cent of the total budget" for the Games and "we have by way of revenue generated Rs.700 crore from the Games".
As he faced a volley of questions, Kalmadi said, I am innocent till proven guilty. You (media) are all pronouncing me guilty".
"I offered them full cooperation. I had said after giving the successful CWG that the Organising Committee was ready for any investigations," he said.
The Congress MP said he or his officials had nothing to hide from the probe agency and expressed surprise over the letter written by CBI Director A P Singh to the Government seeking his removal as he was interfering in the probe.
"I have written to the CBI Chief and informed that the Organising Committee had handed over all the documents. In case there were some more left, the same would be provided" Kalmadi said and also added that there was a possibility that the papers could be with other probe agencies including Income Tax, CAG or Enforcement Directorate.
Asked if he was being made a "scapegoat", Kalmadi declined to comment."I don't want to answer this question. No comments".
On what all has been taken by the CBI after the searches, he said, "I don't know what all they have taken. They have handed me a list."
Kalmadi came out of the gate but went back quickly as he found the media waiting in large numbers rushing towards him. He came out again after some time to address the media.
Kalmadi said CBI teams besides his residence had also visited his home in Pune and his brother's place in Mumbai. CBI officials also searched his business premises. "They have searched the whole place through and through".
Asked whether he was hurt, Kalmadi said, "No, I am not hurt. I have no complaints at all".
Kalmadi, in a lighter vein, also said the CBI sleuths had brought breakfast for him. "Of course, I gave them coffee".