Kalmadi's supporters celebrate court acceptance of ED's closure report in 2010 CWG case

While there was no immediate reaction from Kalmadi or his family members over the court's decision, his followers said the court's acceptance of the closure report shows that Kalmadi was not involved in any wrongdoing.

Suresh Kalmadi

Credit: PTI Photo

Mumbai: With slogans like 'sabsa bada khiladi, Suresh Bhai Kalmadi’, bursting of crackers and distribution of sweets, former minister and ex-Congressman Suresh Kalmadi's supporters celebrated after a Delhi court accepted the Enforcement Directorate's closure report in a money laundering case against him for his role as head of the organising committee of 2010 Commonwealth Games.

The 80-year-old Kalmadi, a former Minister of State for Railways and ex President of International Olympic Committee is a resident of Pune.

While for the past 15 years, Kalmadi, a former IAF pilot-turned-politician, had largely stayed away from public life, he commands tremendous respect among a section of the politicians.

Kalmadi's supporter and Congress worker Sachin Aadeakar slammed the BJP, anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare and former Delhi Chief Minister and AAP leader Arvind Kejriwal for running a campaign against the former minister.

Kalmadi’s supporters assembled outside Kalmadi House, his residence at Erandwane in Pune and celebrated the latest development.

"Bhagwan ke ghar der hai, andher nahi' – this has been proved today,” a Kalmadi supporters said.

Kalmadi faces age-related health issues and has not spoken on the latest development.