Bribe offer: CBI team at Army Chief's office to record his statement

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A team of CBI officials visited the office of Army chief General V.K. Singh to record his statement over his allegations that a retired officer (Lt General) Tejinder Singh tried to bribe him for the sale of Tatra trucks to the Army in 2010.

According to sources, senior CBI officials are his South black office to get a first-hand knowledge of the alleged bribe offer made to Gen. Singh and the evidences he could furnish to support his claim.

It is said the Army chief's statement may take more than a day to record by the CBI team as he had to read through a questionnaire sent to him in advance by the investigating team.

However, only if only sufficient evidences are brought to light by the Army chief, an FIR will be filed in the Tata deal episode, according to sources.

One factor that may go against Gen Singh is that he made the bribe allegations now whereas the offer was made in 2010.

Hence, the CBI may question the Army chief the reason for the delay in revealing the bribe offer made by the former officer Tejinder Singh.

But Gen. V.K. Singh has given written details to CBI on the Rs 14-crore kickback which he claimed was offered two years ago to clear the purchase of Tatra trucks, which he said was 'substandard'.

CBI took up the Tatra case after the Army chief said he was offered a bribe for the purchase of Tatra trucks in a newspaper interview.