|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
By Category |
 |
|
|
| |
|
| |
| |
India On Media |
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
| Politics
News |
|
| 14-crore bribe offer: |
| 14-crore bribe offer: Army chief to challenge defence minister's account
|
| INDIA
, 28-March-2012
2:28:49 AM |
| The disclosure by the army chief of an offer of a 14-crore bribe has forced an escalation of hostilities between him and the Defence Minister AK Antony.
The chief will today, sources say, challenge the version of events offered by the minister who said yesterday that though he urged General VK Singh to take action after the kickback was offered to him in 2010, the army chief refused. The minister also said he did not initiate an investigation because General Singh did not submit a complaint in writing.
Sources close to the army chief say that he took whatever action he could. The lobbyist who allegedly visited him in his office and offered the money was Lt General (retd) Tejinder Singh. He allegedly wanted General Singh to clear the purchase of 1600 "sub-standard" Tatra trucks that are used to transport artillery and troops.
Speaking to NDTV yesterday, the retired officer said that he had not offered the army chief any money and that their meeting focused on his possible nomination as the head of the NTRO. General Singh's supporters say that he did not sanction the appointment. They also say that the chief did not allow the army to buy the new consignment of trucks from BEML, a defence Public Sector Unit that supplies Tatra trucks and other equipment to the army.
Though Tejinder Singh has denied offering the chief any money, a taped recording of the conversation exists. The CBI which was ordered on Monday to investigate the controversy, has denied that it received this tape yesterday. It's not clear who recorded the meeting between Tejinder Singh and the chief. Press Trust of India cites sources to state that the chief can be heard shouting on the tape.
The CBI met the army chief on Monday but he will record his formal statement when he returns to Delhi after an official tour.
General Singh and Mr Antony spent most of last year engaged in a public battle over the army chief's age. General Singh wanted Army records amended to ref
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ADVERTISEMENTS
Free offer!!! Become an administrator for your zip home page, "Post" local news (local to your postcode)& pictures, "Post" advertisement banners from local companies. Make Extra money.
|
 |
 |
|
|
| |
|
