Army chief General VK Singh has reportedly filed a formal complaint with the CBI which is investigating allegations that a bribe of Rs 14 crore was offered to him to approve a defence procurement contract.
Times Now reported that the Army chief has sent his letter to the investigating agency which will analyse it and then decide whether to file an FIR in the case.
. PTI
A preliminary enquiry or an FIR could be registered soon after completion of the procedural requirements, CBI sources said.
The CBI had earlier sought more details from General VK Singh about his statement to the media that he had been offered a bribe to clear the purchase of a consignement of vehicles. General Singh who had been travelling at the time had sought more time to file a formal complaint and provide more details.
Defence Minister AK Antony had earlier told the Rajya Sabha that he had been informed about the bribe being offered but when he asked the Army chief to file a formal complaint he had not done it. A CBI probe was subsequently requested by the Ministry of Defence.
The Army chief had claimed in a television interview that he had been offered the bribe by a former army official and was shocked at the time the offer was made.
The Indian Army had issued a press release on 5 March alleging that Lt General (retired) Tejinder Singh had offered a bribe to the Army chief on behalf of the makers of the Tatra trucks used by the army.
The former army official has denied the allegations and filed a case of defamation against the Army chief and four other officials. A court has reserved its order on whether to summon the senior army officials before it.
