CBI files chargesheet against Tejinder Singh in bribery case

The chargesheet was filed in the court of Special Judge, Patiala House Courts, following a thorough investigation by the agency, a CBI spokesperson said.

CBI sources said the chargesheet was based purely on circumstantial evidence, which includes Tejinder Singh’s meeting with the then Army Chief and putting on hold the order for supply of trucks from Tatra.

Expressing surprise over the move, Tejinder Singh said that last year, there were dozens of media reports which stated no evidence was found in the case and it was heading for a closure.

“My interaction with the agency clearly indicated there was no credible evidence found. Now with the change of government, there seems to be a change of heart in the probe agency and therefore the filing of chargesheet is abuse of power by the people concerned and is politically motivated,” Tejinder Singh told PTI.

A case was registered against Tejinder Singh on October 19, 2012 following a complaint by Gen V K Singh, who is currently a Minister of State.

The then Army Chief had alleged that Tejinder Singh offered him a bribe of Rs 14 crore on September 22, 2010 on behalf of Tatra trucks supplier for clearing the file for procurement of 1,676 Tatra HMVs (High Mobility Vehicles) for the Indian Army. The CBI, during its probe, also recorded the statement of the then Defence Minister A K Antony, who corroborated that the then Army Chief had come to his office and informed him that Tejinder Singh had offered him a bribe.

As corroborative evidence in its chargesheet, the CBI mentioned the orders of the then Army Chief to his staff that Tejinder Singh should not be given any appointment in the future, sources said.

The recording, which purportedly contained conversation between the then Army Chief and Tejinder Singh, was of no help as the compact disc sent to the CBI by Gen V K Singh had no voice recorded on it, sources added.