Author: Sreya Shah, a student at Woxsen University
To the point
The Commonwealth Games 2010, meant to project India’s rising global stature, instead exposed deep-rooted corruption and systemic governance failure. What began as a celebrated opportunity to host a world-class sporting event quickly spiraled into one of India’s biggest financial scandals. With public funds grossly misused, tenders rigged, and infrastructure contracts inflated, the scam highlighted how prestige projects can be derailed by a lack of transparency and unchecked political power. This article cuts through the layers of financial misconduct, legal proceedings, and institutional lapses to examine how the scam unfolded, who was involved, and whether justice has been served more than a decade later.
Abstract:
In 2010, India witnessed one of the biggest scams in the country, the Commonwealth Games scam. The financial loss incurred through this scam amounted to ₹70,000 crores. This article delves into the systemic lapses and financial misappropriations that turned a moment of national pride into a legal and ethical crisis. From inflated contracts and forged tenders to delayed justice and institutional negligence, the Commonwealth Games Scam revealed deep cracks in India’s governance and public accountability systems. Using a socio-legal lens, the article examines the laws invoked, the key players involved, and the long-term impact of the scandal on public trust and anti-corruption discourse in India.
Legal Jargon:
The Commonwealth Games Scam involves a range of legal provisions from both criminal and anti-corruption statutes. At the heart of the case are charges under the Indian Penal Code (IPC), particularly:
Section 120B – Criminal Conspiracy: Used to prosecute individuals accused of planning the scam together for unlawful gains.
Section 420 – Cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property: Pertains to the fraudulent awarding of contracts.
Section 468 – Forgery for the purpose of cheating: Involves falsifying documents and tenders.
Section 409 – Criminal breach of trust by a public servant: One of the most serious charges, applicable to those entrusted with public funds who misused them.
The case also relies heavily on provisions from the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, especially:
Section 13(1)(d) – Abuse of official position to obtain undue advantage for oneself or others.
Section 7 – Public servant taking gratification other than legal remuneration.
Section 11 – Public servant obtaining valuable things without consideration from a person concerned in the proceeding or business transacted by such public servant.
Additionally, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has invoked provisions from the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, to trace financial transactions and suspected money laundering associated with foreign contracts and vendors.
The case brings into focus the public trust doctrine, which holds that public authorities are custodians of resources meant for the public good. Their misuse amounts to a breach of fiduciary duty. Legal debates around accountability of public officials, conflict of interest, and the inefficacy of oversight mechanisms have also been central to discussions around the scam.
The proof:
What was meant to be a celebration of India’s global aspirations—the 2010 Commonwealth Games- quickly turned into a national embarrassment. Beneath the surface of grand stadiums and cultural showcases lay a network of inflated contracts, manipulated tenders, and financial irregularities that came to define one of the biggest corruption scandals in India’s recent history.
Originally budgeted at around ₹1,620 crore, the final costs exceeded ₹11,500 crores, and the total expenditure ballooned to nearly ₹70,000 crores. Despite the extended budget, the athletes were assigned poor and unsafe flats instead of the luxurious rooms that they were originally allotted.
Beyond financial losses, the scam dealt a major blow to India’s global image. Venues were incomplete until the last minute, and international media questioned India’s preparedness. More importantly, the scandal raised questions about transparency in government-led mega projects, the lack of accountability mechanisms, and the slow pace of justice, as trials continue even more than a decade later.
This case is not just a story of individual misconduct but of systemic failure, one that exposed deep-rooted issues in public procurement, oversight, and political accountability.
Conclusion
The Commonwealth Games Scam was more than a misuse of public funds—it was a betrayal of national trust and a reminder of how unchecked power and poor oversight can erode democratic institutions. Despite multiple investigations and arrests, the lack of timely convictions has raised questions about the effectiveness of India’s legal system in dealing with high-level corruption. The scandal exposed critical flaws in public procurement, project monitoring, and institutional transparency. Going forward, the need is not just for punitive action but for systemic reforms that ensure large-scale public events are handled with integrity, efficiency, and accountability. Only then can public trust be truly restored.
FAQS
1. What was the Commonwealth Games Scam?
The CWG Scam refers to the large-scale financial and administrative irregularities that occurred during the organisation of the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi. It involved inflated contracts, rigged tenders, and misuse of public funds, leading to an estimated loss of thousands of crores.
2. Who was held responsible for the scam?
Key officials of the Organising Committee, especially Suresh Kalmadi, who was the Chairman, were arrested and charged. Several bureaucrats, contractors, and private companies were also implicated in the investigation.
3. Which laws were violated in the scam?
The scam involved charges under multiple laws, including:
Indian Penal Code (Sections 120B, 420, 409, 468)
Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988
Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002
