The Central Bureau of Investigation is reported to have received an audio tape carrying a conversation purportedly between Army chief General V.K. Singh and another person, in connection with the alleged bribery case referred to it by the Defence Ministry. However, CBI spokesperson has denied having received the audio tape.

Meanwhile, the agency has asked the Defence Ministry to make available a complaint from Gen. Singh besides other details such as list of witnesses and supporting documents after which it would initiate its probe in the case. The agency has not registered a formal inquiry in the case so far and any action would be initiated after it receives a complaint from Gen. Singh.

The agency has received a reference from the Defence Ministry to probe the matter and it has been processed as per the laid down procedure.

A preliminary enquiry or an FIR could be registered soon after completion of the procedural requirements.

The Army Chief had claimed in media interviews that an equipment lobbyist had offered him a bribe of 14 crore rupees, a matter which he had reported to Defence Minister A.K. Antony. The Ministry had then recommended a CBI probe into the allegation made by the Army chief. F

Defence Minister A K Antony said the Army Chief had told him about the bribe offer verbally more than a year back and he had told the General to take action, since he did not wish to pursue it. Mr. Antony maintained that there was no written communication from the Army Chief on the bribe offer.

The Army Chief has said the lobbyist offered him the bribe in order to have a fleet of 600 sub-standard vehicles of a particular make cleared for purchase.