Former Union Minister and senior Congress leader Suresh Kalmadi passed away at the age of 81 in Pune on Tuesday (January 6, 2026). According to reports, Kalmadi had been undergoing treatment at Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital after a prolonged illness. He breathed his last at around 3.30 am today.
Mortal remains to be kept for public viewing until 2 pm
According to an official statement from his office, the mortal remains of the former chairman of the Indian Olympic Association will be kept for public viewing at Kalmadi House in Pune’s Erandwane. Following this, his funeral will be held at Vaikunth Smashanbhumi at 3.30 pm today.
Who was Suresh Kalmadi?
Suresh Kalmadi, a popular political leader, was a former MP from Pune. He had also served as the former Minister of State for Railways and held many roles in public life. He was elected to the Lok Sabha from Pune on various occasions, in 1996, 2004, and 2009. He was elected for the first time in the Rajya Sabha as a Congress (S) MP in 1980, then in 1986 and again in 1992.
His tenure at the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) drew criticism over the 2010 Commonwealth Games corruption case. According to reports, he faced charges under the Prevention of Corruption Act for misuse of funds. In 2011, the Congress party suspended him following his arrest in the CWC scam.
Despite this, he remained closely associated with the sports organisation. In 2016, a group of over 150 members selected Kalmadi and Abhay Singh Chautala as the IOC’s life presidents, but he refused the post. He is survived by his wife, a son, two daughters, and grandchildren.
