Indian MoD Suspends BEML Chief Following Tatra Scam

India’s Ministry of Defense suspended the chief of state-owned Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) V R S Natarajan today following a recommendation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). According to a defense ministry official, the CBI has recommended that Natarajan be “kept away from the post to ensure fair investigation" into the Tatra bribery scandal that was exposed by former Army Chief (Retd) General V K Singh. The CBI is currently investigating allegations made by the then Army Chief in March that he was offered a $ 4 million bribe by a former office to clear the supply of 600 Tatra trucks from BEML. Since General Singh’s retirement in May, BEML filed a defamation suit against the former demanding an apology for the statements made against the organisation. "Defence Ministry categorically denies giving permission to BEML Chief to serve a legal notice for filing a defamation suit against Gen V K Singh," Defence Ministry spokesperson Sitanshu Kar. During a press conference in June, the now ousted BEML chief, said, “The former army chief has made some allegations against BEML. As the CEO of the company, I deny them as absolutely false, motivated, damaging and defamatory", Natarajan had said. General Singh has since refused to apologies and maintains that he was only stating facts.