For fair probe in Tatra deal,MoD suspends BEML chief

Natarajan,meanwhile,maintained that he would come out clean in the investigations. “I respect the government’s decision. I will come out clean,’’ he told reporters in Bangalore.

The suspended CMD may be in for more trouble as the ministry has also given sanction to the CBI to probe his alleged “individual” role in the irregularities into the Tatra-BEML deal. The agency had sought the permission of the MoD under section 6A of the Delhi Special Police Establishment Act,which mandates permission of the central government before initiating proceedings against an official above the rank of joint secretary.

His suspension has also paved the way for CBI to expedite the probe into the supply of Tatra all-terrain vehicle supply to the Army. Natarajan will soon be called for questioning and faces arrest as CBI has unearthed evidence of his involvement not only in Tatra-BEML deal but also in financial irregularities.

The agency has discovered his role in the 2003 agreement signed between Tatra and BEML,which favoured Tatra.

Apart from the Tatra truck deal case,the CBI has registered a case against Natarajan with respect to the award of an IT contract for automating the enterprise resource planning systems in BEML to a Coimbatore-based firm by allegedly manipulating the tender system for the contract.

The agency also found several instances where Natarajan allegedly bypassed norms and interacted directly with the supplying firms on crucial negotiations without taking the MoD into confidence .

Sources said in several instances,post facto approvals were allegedly taken from the ministry by him on some crucial issues related to supply of all-terrain vehicles.

Last week,the MoD had also asked for an explanation from Natarajan after he sent a legal notice asking for an apology to former Army Chief Gen (Retd) V K Singh who had raised a red flag on the Tatra-BEML deal while he was in service.