CBI records army chief's statement on bribery issue

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) today called on army chief general VK Singh at his office to record his statement on his allegation that a retired officer had tried to bribe him in 2010. Earlier on Tuesday, the CBI for the first time questioned defence PSU BEML chairman VRS Natarajan in connection with alleged irregularities in the procurement and supply of Tatra all-terrain trucks to the army. (See: Two Army ex-officers' houses raided over Tatra-BEML deal)

Director (defence procurement) V Mohan was also questioned by the agency around five hours regarding the deal and supply of trucks, according to CBI sources quoted by Hindustan Times newspaper which cited agencies.

They were grilled on common issues as regards procurement and supply of the Tatra all-terrain trucks and their responses were recorded.

Mohan, who was the director, defence procurement from 2007 to 2011, had been asked to provide some documents pertaining to the  procurement of components from Tatra Sipox UK owned by one, Rishi, they said.

British national Rishi was quizzed for the eighth time during last fortnight as he denied allegations of any wrong doing in the supply of truck components that were assembled by the BEML for supply to the army.

According to political observers, the general's statement may take more than a day to record as he goes through a questionnaire sent to him in advance by the investigating team.