New Delhi:
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) today conducted searches at least three locations in Delhi and Noida as part of its ongoing probe into the Tatra trucks deal case.
The premises searched included residences of two former Army officials - Brigadier PC Das and Colonel Anil Datta - and a Vectra employee - Anil Mansaramani. Three teams of CBI officials reached these locations early this morning and took into their possession some crucial documents related to the deal, CBI sources said.
Tatra is a Czech-manufacturer. It is owned by Vectra, a London-based company, which supplies parts to Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) - one of India's biggest defence Public Sector Units (PSUs) based in Bangalore. The trucks are assembled at BEML and sold to the Army. Tatra deals with the Army came under scanner after Army Chief General VK Singh disclosed last month that he was offered a bribe to clear "sub-standard" trucks. The Army has bought 7000 Tatra trucks since 1986.
The CBI is pursuing two different cases on the Tatra deals. One relates to the purchase of the 7000 trucks. The other looks at a new consignment of more than 700 trucks that Vectra was allegedly trying to push through.
The Chairman and Managing Director of BEML, VRS Natarajan, was questioned by the CBI for over eight hours yesterday. Mr Natarajan is not an accused in the case. The CBI wanted him to clarify his stand on certain decisions that were taken by the BEML while signing memorandum of understanding (MoUs) with Tatra.
Apart from Mr Natarajan, BEML's former procurement Director V Mohan and Tatra chief Ravi Rishi were also questioned by the CBI yesterday. Several other BEML employees have also been questioned in the past.