The CBI was asked by the ministry of defence to conduct a probe into the previous National Democratic Alliance government's deals with South Africa's state-owned firm Denel.
The Union Defence Ministry on Friday ordered a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into alleged payoffs by state-owned South African armament company Denel to a British agent to secure an Indian rifles contract.
Pushing its probe into alleged irregularities in securing the contract for supply of rifles to Indian Army by South African firm Denel, the Central Bureau of Investigation has sent letters rogatory to South Africa, the United Kingdom and Hong Kong.
The National Democratic Alliance convener alleged that it was a "conspiracy to demoralise the armed forces" whether it was Kargil purchases, the Tehelka expose or the coffin issue.
He said the defence ministry has also notified the procedure for selection of tier-1 Indian private industries that will be treated at par with state-run defence firms in terms of the provisions of the Defence Procurement Procedure of 2005.
The agency, which has scrutinised the papers submitted by the Union defence ministry, is likely to file an FIR against "unknown people" soon.
The Comptroller and Auditor General, in his latest report, had pulled up the government for tardy progress in technology transfer for upgradation of these guns.
Govt handed files pertaining to dealings with the South African armament major Denel to the Central Bureau of Investigation to find out whether there was any maladfide intent in the purchase.
The Lok Sabha speaker also expressed fear over "growing" judicial intervention in political matters.
"Three 155 mm howitzers (Dhanush) have been handed over to the army recently for user's trial," GCF's Joint General Manager and PRO Sanjay Shrivastava told PTI today.
CBI sources said a case has been registered against UK-based NRI Vipin Khanna, whose named had also figured in another defence deal probed by the agency. They said the kickbacks were allegedly paid in 2009 through subsidiaries of Embraer via a Singapore based company which is owned by the middleman.
'Landmark developments herald the end of two decades of stagnation in the army's modernisation plans,' notes Brigadier Gurmeet Kanwal (retd).
Flexible, maneuverable, mobile and swift, the M-777A2 Ultra-Light Howitzers are just what India needed to replace its aging battle-tested Bofors guns, says Debalina Ghoshal.
© 2026 Rediff.com - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances