Army chief to CBI: Need more time to reply on bribe offer

Army chief General VK Singh has written to the CBI, seeking more time to reply on the to the investigating body’s queries on his allegation of being offered a bribe of Rs 14 crore to clear a contract. The move comes after the Army chief alleged that Lt Gen (retd) Tejinder Singh had offered him a bribe of Rs 14 crore in August 2010 for clearing a consignment of “sub-standard” trucks. [caption id=“attachment_264607” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“AFP”] [/caption] Vehicle maker Vectra was named by the army in a press release issued by it on 5 March, alleging that Tejinder Singh had offered a bribe on their behalf. The CBI last week registered a case in connection with the supply of the all-terrain trucks and summoned Vectra group chairman Ravi Rishi for questioning. Vectra is a majority stake holder in Tatra. The CBI questioned Rishi for the third time in the case on Tuesday and is likely to question him again. TV reports said Rishi may not be allowed to leave India till the probe is over. Rishi has termed the allegations against him ‘unfortunate’, saying the trucks were sold through public sector undertaking BEML. Rishi had also said that he has had no contact with with Tejinder Singh, calling the Army chief’s allegations ‘baseless.’ The CBI had reportedly written back to the Army chief last week seeking more clarification on the allegations of bribery.