Indian army chief’s statement recorded in bribery claims

By Maqsood Hussain Apr 20th, 2012 ( No Comment )

New Delhi: India’s Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday recorded Army Chief Gen VK Singh’s statement in connection with his claims that he was offered a bribe of Rs140 million by an equipment lobbyist to clear a defence deal.

The CBI officials met the army chief in his South Block office, reports say.
The central probe agency is seeking clarifications from the army chief why no action was taken against the alleged equipment lobbyist, who approached him to clear a defence deal of 600 sub-standard vehicles.
In an interview to a leading English daily, Gen Singh recently claimed that he was offered a bribe of Rs140 million by an equipment lobbyist.

Defence Minister AK Antony was apprised of the matter, the army chief added.
Gen Singh had described the state of affairs in the army as “shocking”, saying the same led to conditions wherein an attempt was made to bribe the army chief.
The lobbyist, who was later identified to be Lt Gen Tejinder Singh, retired from the army recently.

According to the army chief, Tejinder Singh was ready to bribe the army chief if he approved the acquisition of 600 sub-standard vehicles of a particular make.

According to the General, the army had already acquired 7,000 such vehicles over the years at exorbitant prices. While the vehicles were sold to the army, the manufacturer created no proper facility for the servicing and maintenance of the vehicles.