NEW DELHI, November 30- Indian police on Tuesday raided the homes of senior officials who organised the Commonwealth Games as part of a probe into corruption allegations that surrounded the event, sources told AFP.The Games, which were held in New Delhi in October, were hit by claims of massive financial irregularities as the budget ballooned to an estimated six billion dollars.
The organising committee’s offices were among properties in New Delhi searched by police, a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) source who declined to be named told AFP.
The homes of Delhi 2010 director general V. K. Verma and secretary general Lalit Bhanot were among those raided, he said, confirming local media reports.
Last week, police arrested the sacked treasurer of the organising committee, M. Jayachandran, the third official to be accused of forgery and cheating over the awarding of Games-related contracts.
Police have also charged two other top former Games officials over alleged corruption in connection with the Queen’s Baton Relay in London last year.
Organising committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi, who took much of the harsh criticism about unfinished facilities and poor organisation during the Games, quit as secretary to India’s ruling Congress party earlier this month.
Companies contracted to provide sports surfaces, training equipment and landscaping for the Games were also raided by tax inspectors last month.
The Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) national watchdog has received complaints alleging up to 1.8 billion dollars of Games money was misappropriated.
A CVC report into the Games has confirmed the use of poor-quality materials and massive cost overruns on construction projects.
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh set up a panel to investigate corruption claims and two other government bodies are also running separate probes.
