Documents seized by the CBI during raids on Friday as part of its probe into the Rs 5,000 crore Tatra-BEML deal have reportedly revealed that the company that supplied the trucks to the Army was not genuine and violated norms of defence procurement procedures. Sources said that the documents seized from Delhi and Bangalore,which are still under scrutiny,reveal that Tatra-Vectra is not the original equipment manufacturer of the trucks but misrepresented this. According to the CBI,this is the reason charges have been slapped against Vectra group owner Ravi Rishi under Section 420 of the IPC (which deals with cheating). Vectra is the majority stake holder in Tatra. Officials are trying to ascertain the commission paid in the deal. The case registered by the CBI alleges that Vectra group wrongly represented itself as Tatra Trucks and supplied vehicles which were originally manufactured by the Czechoslovakia-based Tatra Czech. Transactions between the Ministry of Defence and Vectra are also under scrutiny. Officers claimed to have recovered documents that would help establish trail of the money allegedly deposited in foreign bank accounts. Said a CBI officer: We have found foreign bank account details during the raids. A letter rogatory to the UK will be sent soon once we complete the scrutiny of documents. Sources said that India may send an informal request to the UK to put these accounts under surveillance. The agency will take the help of the Enforcement Directorate to help probe the financial aspects of the deal. The CBI is also seeking details of a complaint filed by the Czech republic in 2011 against Rishi. It accused the Vectra owner of buying trucks from the Czech firm at much cheaper rates than what he sold them for to BEML. As for the bribery complaint filed by Army Chief General V K Singh,the CBI will decide on registering a preliminary enquiry by the end of next week. The agency has sought more details from the Chief in form of credible evidence,which he has promised to provide by Monday or Tuesday. Sources said that Lt Gen (retd) Tejinder Singh,who is alleged to have made the bribe offer,will be called for questioning only if there is sufficient proof of his involvement. We are yet to establish Tejinders association with Vectra or Ravi Rishi in the present Tatra-BEML case, explained an officer. Tejinder has denied charges of his involvement and filed a defamation suit against Gen Singh and others in a Delhi court.
