nTrial court in New Delhi has slammed the CBI for not producing Defence Procurement Manual 2006 after many repeated orders in Tatra Trucks purchasing scandal case. The court also pulled up the Defence Ministry for non-cooperation with the probe agency. Special Judge Pulastya Pramachala ordered CBI’s Joint Director to submit a report on this regard by January 14, expressing CBI’s attitude in the probe.
"The report filed by the HIO(Head Investigating Officer) today shows that CBI has now literally surrendered, as far as obtaining this manual, which was relevant at the relevant time, is concerned. Therefore, I need to know the stand of CBI in respect of the aforesaid question raised by me. A specific report in respect of aforesaid question shall be filed on the ext date. Copy of this Order be handed over to HIO, who shall deliver it upon concerned Joint Director and it is expected that a complete inquiry shall be made by responsible officers before filing any report to this court." Court said in its Order on November 26.
The Judge observed unhappiness over the lackadaisical attitude of CBI in decades long purchase of Tatra Trucks for Indian Army through controversial firm Vectra Group, promoted by Ravi Rishi and Sanjay Bhandari. "This is a bit surprising and shocking to see that CBI has completed investigation even without laying hand over such manual, so as to make the relevant assessment," said the Judge.
CBI filed FIR in the case in 2012 after the revelation of then Army Chief General VK Singh on the bribe offer of Rs.14 crore to him by Lt.General Tejinder Singh(retired) for clearing the Tatra Trucks purchase files. Arms dealers Ravi Rishi and PSU BEML's CMD N Natarajan were accused in the case. But in August 2014 CBI submitted closure report in the case. However , the Court has not yet approved CBI's closure report and sought many clarifications from CBI.