New Delhi, March 4
The CBI today carried out searches at the residence of suspended Prasar Bharti CEO BS Lalli after registering a case against him and others for alleged irregularities in the award of broadcasting rights of CWG reportedly resulting in a loss of Rs 135 crore to the exchequer. The case was filed against Lalli, Director of Zoom Communications Wasim Dehlvi and others under relevant provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act and Indian Penal Code late last night, official sources said.

Besides Lalli’s residence, the searches were being carried at the residence of Dehlvi and two more places, the sources said. The CBI move comes after Information and Broadcasting Ministry cleared the decks for prosecution of Lalli facing allegations of corruption relating to broadcast rights given to SIS Live.

However, sanction for the prosecution of former Doordarshan Director General Aruna Sharma for her role in the matter is yet to be given by the Ministry, which said it was examining the reply given by the Madhya Pradesh cadre IAS officer.

Soon after getting clearance from the Prime Minister's Office to initiate action against both the officials on the basis of the recommendations of the VK Shunglu Committee, the CBI had written to the Ministry seeking its nod to go ahead with criminal proceedings against them. PM Manmohan Singh, after receiving the report, had directed that explanations be sought from Lalli and Sharma. Both Lalli and Sharma denied allegations of any wrongdoing. — PTI