The CBI on Wednesday requested Army Chief Gen. V.K. Singh to send a formal (written) complaint to the agency to initiate a probe into his allegations that he was offered a bribe of `14 crores to clear the purchase of some sub-standard vehicles. The agency has also requested the defence ministry to keep all files, signed documents and correspondence related to the Tatra truck deal in safe custody.
Sources in the agency said, “In a letter written to the Army Chief on Wednesday, the CBI requested him to send a written complaint related to the bribery-offer case to the agency at the earliest. The agency has also requested him to provide a detailed list of possible witnesses”.
The agency in its letter has made it clear that without a written complaint by the Army Chief, the agency can not register a regular case into the matter, sources said. “If Gen. Singh gives a written complaint, then the agency will go ahead with a regular case and in case he does not, then a Preliminary Enquiry (PE) would be registered,” sources said.
“If CBI registers a regular case into the matter, then the agency sleuths may record the statement of defence minister A.K. Antony as witness in the case also. Besides, statements of others witness will also be recorded by the agency,” sources said. It is believed that the Army Chief is expected to give his written complaint to the agency by Friday, sources added.
The agency is also examining the video tapes of the Army Chief interview aired by some TV channels. “A team of senior officials of the agency have started scrutinising video tapes related to his interview,” sources said. Gen. Singh had claimed in the interview that a former Lt. Gen. had offered him a bribe of `14 crore. The agency has also requested the defence ministry that they should keep the files pertaining to the deal about procurement of Tatra trucks in readiness as the agency may register a separate case in this. “The agency may widen its probe and investigate other deals also in which Tatra company is involved,” sources said.