Tatra trucks scam: CBI expecting replies from UK, other countries soon

New Delhi: CBI is expecting to get replies of its judicial requests from the UK and other countries in connection with its probe into alleged irregularities in the Tatra all-terrain vehicle supply to army which would help it in finalising its charge sheet in the case. CBI sources said agency has already sent its LRs, judicial requests, to the UK, Slovakia and Czech Republic seeking response on ownership patterns of Tatra Sipox UK, promoted by Ravinder Rishi— an accused in the case, and the arrangements between Tatra companies based there. CBI has questioned Rishi and senior officials of Defence Ministry and BEML. All have denied any irregularities in the case. The sources said they have come to know that some replies are likely to be sent soon which would help it in giving final touches to its charge sheet in connection with the alleged scam. The agency is probing alleged irregularities in assigning supply from the Czechoslovakia-based Tatra, with which the agreement was originally signed in 1986, to the Tatra-Sipox UK owned by Rishi in 1997 showing it as Original Equipment Manufacturer and the fully-owned subsidiary of the Czech company which was against rules, they said. [caption id=“attachment_1110405” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Tatra trucks in this file photo. PTI[/caption] The sources said the agency has recovered crucial documents relating to the deal between Tatra Sipox UK, in which Rishi had substantial stake, and state-run BEML that show alleged irregularities at various levels. The CBI is also likely to expose alleged conspiracy to continue supply of trucks at higher prices even though other options were available with the BEML. CBI sources said Tatra Sipox UK claimed to be representative of Slovakia based Tatra Sipox, which had the axle technology while the rest of the trucks were manufactured by Czech Republic based Tatra a.s. They said surprisingly the Slovak manufacturer of axle did not have rights to use the brand name Tatra and in the 1997 agreement of Tatra Sipox UK with BEML there was a clause that says the PSU could not use the brand name on its trucks. They alleged the probe has revealed several irregularities in the supply of Tatra vehicles which include lack of indigenisation of these vehicles by the PSU. The agency has also found that BEML top brass continued to cite dependence on Ravinder Rishi promoted Tatra Sipox UK which was not an authorised representative of Tatra a.s. the original manufacturer of trucks, they said. PTI