Tatra truck probe: BEML chief VRS Natrajan suspended

Facing allegations of corruption in supplying  the all-terrain Tatra trucks to the Indian Army, Chairman and Managing Director of government owned Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML)  VRS Natrajan was today placed under suspension to ensure that CBI investigations in to the matter were not hampered.

“The Government has put the CMD of BEML Shri VRS Natarajan under suspension following a recommendation by the CBI that he should be kept away from the post to ensure fair investigation,” a release from the Ministry of Defence stated.

The charge of CMD has been given to P Dwarkanath, the senior most functional Director in BEML.

“The CBI is currently investigating into various charges against Shri Natarajan,” the release stated without specifying details.

However, a confident Natrajan said,“I respect the decision of the government. I will come out clean.”

Natrajan had recently said that BEML would take legal action against former army chief VK Singh, unless he apologised for his allegations of corruption in the government run defence equipment manufacturer. The Ministry of Defence subsequently asked him to explain the statement.

Natarajan had also denied all claims of corruption in the public sector company and that the Tatra trucks being supplied to the army were obsolete.

The CBI is investigating allegations by Singh that a bribe of Rs 14 crore was offered to him in order to approve the acquisition of Tatra trucks for the Indian Army.  Natrajan has been questioned multiple times by the CBI in the case along with Ravi Rishi, Chairman of Vectra group.

The CBI had earlier booked Natarajan for cheating, criminal conspiracy and corruption in connection with tendering process for hiring a private consultancy firm for BEML.