Auditor promises quick report on Delhi claims

Vinod Rai maintained that completing the investigation would be a "gigantic task" as it would have to be conducted across 24 institutions involved in the delivery of the Games.

A report just before the Games pointed at some grave financial irregularities including misappropriation of funds and showing undue favours in the award of contracts including telecast rights.

"It is going to be a gigantic task. We will have to cover all aspects and all institutions involved in the Games," Rai said.

"We have set aside 80 to 100 staff to complete the audit programme. We have cancelled leave for those staff in order to ensure completion of the audit."

Rai added: "If the investigation is to be a meaningful exercise it has to be completed as early as possible. If the report were to be published in six to eight months, the purpose of the probe would be defeated."

He went on: "We would investigate if the purpose of the whole exercise has been fulfilled."

He also maintained that no information would be placed in the public domain when the investigation was under way.

"We cannot share our information or our personnel with anyone. We will place the report before the Parliament, as per the mandate given to us," he said.