In a letter to Organising Committee chairman Suresh Kalmadi, Randhir said that the meeting should be called immediately considering the gravity of the allegations.

"In pursuance to media reports published in a leading daily about financial irregularities alleged in the Queen's Baton Relay at the Buckingham Palace," wrote Singh, who is also a member of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

"Since the situation is grave, the discussion should be held immediately."

The Indian High Commission in London have launched their own investigation into allegations that junior clerk there had introduced an Indian-owned London firm to whom the Organising Committee paid large sums of money for services obtained during the Queen’s Baton Relay function here last October.

Kalmadi has produced correspondence which he claims show that Raju Sebastian introduced London-based firm AM Films, owned by one Asish Patel, to the Organising Committee.

The High Commission has claimed that Sebastian initially did not recall having sent such a mail.

The probe was launched after the British tax authorities raised suspicions when the Organising Committee in New Delhi approached them in March for a VAT refund of £14,000 ($22,000) for the payments.

It is claimed that the firm and its sister concern, AM Car and Van Hire, were paid nearly £450,000 ($714,000) by the Organising Committee and the British claim that that £25,000 ($40,000) is continuing to be paid into the firm’s account.

Patel has denied receiving the monthly amounts and said the Organising Committee had paid him only £247,000 ($392,000) and still owed him £147,000 ($233,000) towards transport rental costs.

Kalmadi has admitted that there was no contract but claimed that this was because everything was organised at the last moment.

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August 2010: Kalmadi blames Indian High Commission in London for Queen's Baton Relay row
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