CBI likely to file charge sheet in Tatra case by month end

NEW DELHI: The CBI is likely to file a charge sheet in connection with alleged irregularities in procurement of Tatra all-terrain vehicles by PSU BEML by the end of this month.

CBI sources said the agency is taking legal opinion on including names of Vectra chairman Ravinder Rishi and some retired senior officials of BEML in its charge sheet for alleged forgery and cheating.

They said the agency has recovered crucial documents related to deal between Tatra Sipox UK, in which Rishi had substantial stake, and BEML that show alleged irregularities at various levels.

The CBI is also likely to expose alleged conspiracy to continue supply of trucks at higher prices even though other options were available with the BEML.

They said the BEML allegedly delayed indigenisation process of the truck despite having technology causing losses to exchequer.

They said despite the clause of indigenisation and upgrading of technology in the original agreement signed with Tatra a.s, the indigenisation process remained way behind satisfactory levels.

The sources said the trucks, which are now assembled by the BEML and supplied to the Army, have "not performed well in higher altitude and despite red flags raised by Army several times, the PSU continued supplying older technology vehicles".

The agency is probing alleged irregularities in assigning supply from the then Czechoslovakia-based Tatra, with which the agreement was originally signed in 1986, to the Tatra-Sipox UK owned by Rishi in 1997 showing it as Original Equipment Manufacturer and the fully-owned subsidiary of the Czech company which was against rules, they said.