Vectra Chief Ravi Rishi quizzed by CBI for seventh time

Vectra Chief Ravi Rishi was questioned by the CBI on Monday for the seventh time in connection with an investigation into alleged discrepancies in the procurement of Tatra trucks for the Indian army. [caption id=“attachment_277438” align=“alignleft” width=“380” caption=“Army Chief VK Singh has accused Rishi of trying to bribe him: Screengrab from CNN IBN”] [/caption]London based Rishi reached CBI headquarters in Delhi at around 1pm on Monday, and was questioned for more than two hours. The CBI questioning comes in the wake of a written complaint filed by Army General VK Singh CBI alleging that in September 2010, Rishi had offered him a bribe of Rs 14 crores through former Lt General Tejinder Singh to clear sub standard Tatra trucks. Singh’s 22-page complaint, currently in the possession of the CBI, is reportedly backed with substantial proof against Rishi. Two army officials of colonel rank are assisting the CBI in scanning documents which contain details of Vectra’s dealings with the defence public sector unit BEML. Rishi’s company Vectra has a 100 per cent stake in Tatra Sipox (UK) which supplies Tatra trucks to BEML. The allegation is that BEML has violated rules of defence procurement by ordering trucks from Vectra, which is a trading company and not the original manufacturer of the truck. The CBI has reportedly registered a preliminary enquiry in the case and could call Lt General Singh for questioning soon. Meanwhile, the Enforcement Directorate is probing the flow of funds from Rishi’s companies and have booked him for money laundering.