From GMM
It seems not everything is running smoothly as India prepares to host its inaugural grand prix in October.
Last week, it emerged that Mark Hughes - the F1 boss of the race promoter Jaypee - had quit for "personal reasons" and switched to the Abu Dhabi project.
Now, it has emerged that Suresh Kalmadi, the official who initiated India's F1 project, has been stepped down on suspicion of corruption. He was in charge of original F1 promoter the Indian Olympic Association, and is accused of hindering an inquiry of India's Central Bureau of Investigation.
Autoweek said part of the investigation into malpractice surrounding the recent Commonwealth Games in Delhi could involve the alleged channelling of illegal profits through the current F1 promoter JPSK.
'JPSK' is reportedly an acronyn combining Jaypee with the initials of Kalmadi's son Sumeer, who part-owns the company.
On February 7, officials of the company have formally denied these allegations.
“Jaypee Sports International Limited (JPSI) is the promoter of the Indian Grand Prix and is building the Formula 1 racetrack near Greater Noida. JPSI is a subsidiary of the Jaypee Group, one of India's largest and most well respected corporate entities,” told us Sameer Kumar, Manager of public relations at Jaypee Sports International Limited.
“Our official statement regarding the issue is simple. It is Jaypee Sports International Limited (JPSI, and not JPSK as indicated in the story) that is building the Formula 1 circuit near Greater Noida. JPSI is a Jaypee Group subsidiary and has no affiliation with anyone in the IOA (Indian Olympic Association) and/or the Commonwealth Games recently held in India,” Kumar added.
It seems not everything is running smoothly as India prepares to host its inaugural grand prix in October.
Last week, it emerged that Mark Hughes - the F1 boss of the race promoter Jaypee - had quit for "personal reasons" and switched to the Abu Dhabi project.
Now, it has emerged that Suresh Kalmadi, the official who initiated India's F1 project, has been stepped down on suspicion of corruption. He was in charge of original F1 promoter the Indian Olympic Association, and is accused of hindering an inquiry of India's Central Bureau of Investigation.
Autoweek said part of the investigation into malpractice surrounding the recent Commonwealth Games in Delhi could involve the alleged channelling of illegal profits through the current F1 promoter JPSK.
'JPSK' is reportedly an acronyn combining Jaypee with the initials of Kalmadi's son Sumeer, who part-owns the company.
On February 7, officials of the company have formally denied these allegations.
“Jaypee Sports International Limited (JPSI) is the promoter of the Indian Grand Prix and is building the Formula 1 racetrack near Greater Noida. JPSI is a subsidiary of the Jaypee Group, one of India's largest and most well respected corporate entities,” told us Sameer Kumar, Manager of public relations at Jaypee Sports International Limited.
“Our official statement regarding the issue is simple. It is Jaypee Sports International Limited (JPSI, and not JPSK as indicated in the story) that is building the Formula 1 circuit near Greater Noida. JPSI is a Jaypee Group subsidiary and has no affiliation with anyone in the IOA (Indian Olympic Association) and/or the Commonwealth Games recently held in India,” Kumar added.