BEML Chairman and Managing Director V R S Natarajan has threatened to lodge defamation case against retired Chief of Army Staff General V K Singh for blaming BEML to supply sub-standard tetra and ARV vehicle to the army.

Speaking to the media persons in Bangalore today, he said that former army chief has made false allegation against BEML and they will issue legal notice for defamation against General V K Singh.

He defended the quality of the truck and its cost price. He demanded the apology of the General and said he will proceed legally otherwise.

In March, General V K Singh had alleged that a retired lieutenant-general, Tejinder Singh, had offered him a bribe of 14 crore rupees to clear the purchase of 600 substandard-quality Tatra trucks.

Since then, the BEML-Tatra Trucks deal has come under intense scrutiny. The CBI has already quizzed BEML officials on several occasions in connection with the deal.