Gen Singh still to decide on bribe complaint

Army Chief Gen V K Singh still appears undecided as to whether to file a complaint with the Central Bureau of Investigation as it began preparing a case diary into his allegation that he was offered a bribe to clear a tranche of 600 'substandard' trucks for Army.

Sources in the agency claimed that Gen Singh, during his meeting with a team of CBI officers on Monday evening, told them that he had not firmed up his mind whether to file  a complaint or not on the matter.

The sources said that if Gen Singh gave a complaint, then the agency would go ahead with a regular case and in case he does not, then a preliminary enquiry would be filed.

Gen Singh, who is at present on a tour, had told CBI officials a decision would be taken by him on his return. The sources said various television channels which had aired his interview as well as the one which had interviewed him had been requested to submit their tapes to the CBI.

Gen Singh had claimed in the interview that a former Lt Gen had offered him a bribe of Rs 14 crore. In the meantime, the CBI has conveyed to defence ministry that they should keep the files pertaining to the deal about procurement of Tatra trucks in readiness as the agency may register a separate case in this.

He did not name the make of the vehicles but in a press release issued by the Army on March 5 there is reference to retired Lt Gen Tejinder Singh who was accused of offering  a bribe on behalf of Tatra and Vectra Limited, which supplies vehicles to Bharat Earth Movers Limited.