CBI seeks documents on aircraft deal from BSF, Defence Ministry
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CBI has sought documents from the BSF and the Defence Ministry regarding alleged irregularities in the procurement process of two aircraft for the border guarding force.
The agency, which initiated its probe in the approximately Rs 1,500 crore deal for two medium transport aircraft for the BSF five days back, has sought documents from it as well as the Defence Ministry, CBI sources said.
It has asked them to provide documents related to tendering process in the deal, finalised in 2009 and stalled a year later as the alleged irregularities came to light, they said.
The probe, which has been initiated against 'unknown' officials of the Defence Ministry, is likely to be completed within three months, they said.
The case relates to allegations that signatures of two senior BSF officials were forged while finalising the report of Technical Evaluation Committee (TEC) related to the purchase of the aircraft.
The agency had demanded the documents to carry out forensic tests to ascertain the handwriting and other details which could help in nailing the persons involved in the alleged forgery, the sources said.
It also alleged that when TEC was finalising its report on October, 2008, all the seven members were not present.
Two top BSF officials in its Air Wing were absent but their signatures were found in the Committee's report which led to suspicion in the deal, they said. The sources said that during negotiations, which were in final stages, it was noticed that certain changes in technical specifications, including radar systems, were made.
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