(Photo credit: Wikipedia)NEW DELHI: The CBI may soon make some 'significant arrests' in connection with the probe into alleged irregularities in the procurement of Tatra all-terrain trucks to the Indian Army as the agency has found some 'crucial evidence'. Officials, however, refused to say whether Vectra Group chairman Ravi Rishi and suspended BEML chief V R S Natrajan would be arrested. "We have evidence against some people connected with the Tatra deal and they would be arrested soon," a source said.
CBI officials, who carried out an on-site verification of BEML facilities in Bangalore for the production of Tatra vehicles, have gathered "crucial" evidence which indicate alleged involvement of some senior officials of the public sector undertaking, sources said.
The sources said based on the report of the officials, the agency will soon call Natarajan, Rishi and former senior officials of BEML for questioning again.
The agency had examined some officials of the defence ministry as well to gather evidence in the case. Sources said after another round of questioning, the agency may make "significant" arrests within 10 days.
Natarajan and Rishi have already been questioned by the agency in connection with the case. Both have refuted allegations of any wrongdoing.
During the inspection, CBI officials found "very primitive level facilities" where "so-called indigenization" of vehicles took place for supply to the Army, the sources said. They said despite the clause of indigenization and upgrade of technology in the original agreement signed with Tatra AS, the indigenization process remained way behind satisfactory levels.
Sources said the trucks, which are now assembled by BEML and supplied to the Army, have "not performed well in higher altitudes and despite red flags raised by Army several times, the PSU continued supplying older technology vehicles". CBI sources said DRDO also procured vehicles from Tatra for its missile systems which fared much better than those procured by the Army through BEML.
Edited By Cen Fox Post Team
