The CBI probe into the Tatra trucks deal has revealed that the memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the supply of 600 all-terrain trucks, between Tatra Sipox — UK and the state-owned Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML), was signed in Bengaluru on June 14, 1997 within three days of a meeting held between the top officials of both companies in Slovakia. The agency officials suspect that the MoU was allegedly signed without the approval of the BEML board and also without giving prior information to the ministry of defence (MoD).
Sources in the agency said, “Role of another company owned by London-based businessman Ravi Rishi and chief of the UK-based Vectra Group, Venus Project, is under the scanner of the agency in this regard.” The agency has decided to send “letters of requests” (LRs) to authorities concerned in Slovakia, Czech, the United Kigndom and Liechtenstein to get details about some companies allegedly associated with Rishi, who also owns Tatra Sipox — UK.
“Probe by the agency has revealed that MoU for the supply of all-terrain trucks was allegedly signed between Tatra Sipox — UK and the BEML, on June 14, 1997 in Bengaluru without the prior information to the MoD. There are also reports that officials of the PSU did not take approval of the BEML’s board for signing the MoU”, sources said. The agency has sought all relevant documents from the BEML in this regard. If required the agency sleuths will question some former officials of MoD in this connection also.
Sources further said the agency may seek clarification from the Chief of Army Staff General V.K. Singh in this regard also. “Since Gen. V.K. Singh in his complaint to the CBI has said that there was no urgency to procure nearly 600 “sub-standard” trucks, which are under the investigation, by the Indian Army”. The agency, which has registered a preliminary enquiry (PE) on the Army Chief complaint alleging that he was offered a bribe of `14 crores by a retired officer on September 22, 2010 to clear a tranche of sub-standard vehicles, on Thursday sought time form the general to record his statement.
The MoD has also deputed two senior officials to assist CBI sleuths in their ongoing probe related to the Tatra trucks deal controversy.
“Officials of the MoD have been instructed to provide all documents related to the deal to the CBI sleuths”, sources said.