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Criminal case closure recommended in CWG broadcast contract

Following an extensive investigation by CBI, a Closure Report has now been submitted to the CBI Court

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Criminal case closure recommended in CWG broadcast contract

Criminal case closure recommended in CWG broadcast contract

Following an extensive investigation by CBI, a Closure Report has now been submitted to the CBI Court

BestMediaInfo Bureau | Delhi | August 8, 2012

publive-imageAlmost two years after the Commonwealth Games in Delhi, a criminal investigation concerning the award of the Broadcast Contract has resulted in a Closure recommendation.  Following an extensive investigation by India's Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), a Closure Report has now been submitted to the CBI Court.   If the Court acts on the basis of the CBI recommendation, the investigation will be formally terminated.

British Broadcaster SIS Live who had carried out the widely acclaimed broadcast contract under conditions of notorious difficulty, are still awaiting payment of in excess of £16 million of their contracted fee.

SIS Chief Executive, David Holdgate commented, “We are delighted to learn that the investigation has resulted in a Closure Report by the CBI.  We were very confident that once a full and thorough investigation had taken place, the truth would emerge. Although there were clearly some aspects of the Games which required scrutiny, it is regrettable that we should have been dragged into the maelstrom of suspicions and allegations that emerged after the Games were over. We were proud to have contributed to the success of the Games, and to enhancing the perception of India as a sporting nation in the eyes of the world.  For a company of SIS's standing, it was a cause of great dismay to find ourselves embroiled in a criminal investigation. While maintaining our innocence of any wrongdoing throughout, we were happy to give the CBI our full cooperation in complete confidence that our name ultimately would be cleared.  Obviously, the final decision rests with the CBI Court, but India has a robust and independent legal system, and we see no reason why the Court should not now accept the Closure Report”.

While it was expected that the dropping of the case should restore goodwill and enable progress to be made towards settlement of the outstanding claim for payment, Mr Holdgate said that he did not expect early resolution.  “A number of other obstacles have been raised, ranging from customs issues and VAT to queries over the contract award process, but with goodwill and common sense these could all be settled without great difficulty.”

SIS Live acquired BBC Outside Broadcasts in 2008, and is now recognised as one of the world's leading outside broadcast organisations.  Holdgate said that he was confident and happy that the company should take on other major assignments in India in the future.  “India is not only a great country, it's a sporting super-power, with a great deal to offer the world.  It's a natural partner for a firm like ours, and it would be a great shame if the difficulties of the Commonwealth Games were allowed to damage India's international standing in the global sporting world, or to undermine what should be good , cooperative and productive international relationships”.

Info@BestMediaInfo.com

Info@BestMediaInfo.com

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