CBI's Bangalore unit probing BEML irregularities in Tatra deal

NEW DELHI: The CBI’s Bangalore unit is conducting an inquiry into the functioning of defence public sector unit BEML in the Tatra deals, sources said. The agency questioned Vectra chairman Ravi Rishi for the fourth time on Tuesday, while sources claimed that “a team would be going to London soon with the letter rogatory to get more details about the company”.

They added that the Bangalore unit has been looking into the functioning of BEML for quite sometime now. The agency has also sent a request to the defence ministry for seeking prosecution sanction to probe the CMD of BEML, V R S Natarajan.

Rishi was questioned on Tuesday again in connection with alleged irregularities in the Tatra truck supply to the Army. Rishi, who is “cooperating” so far, has been asked to produce all the documents related the Tatra Sipox UK agreement with the BEML that was inked in 1997, sources said. They added, the agency is examining the documents that have been found during CBI searches and those provided by Rishi himself.

Sources said Rishi has told officials that most of the documents are in his UK office. Once the agency sifts through the documents, it will have a clear picture.