The CBI today questioned Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) Chairman and Managing Director V R S Natarajan. Mr Natarajan appeared before the CBI as the agency had asked him to come for giving clarifications pertaining to procurement and supply of Tatra all-terrain trucks to the Army. Our correspondent reports, Mr Natarajan was asked to appear only to clarify some points as he is not an accused in the case.

In 1997, Tatra Sipox UK, the manufacturer of trucks, had signed the truck supply deal with BEML which was in alleged violation of defence procurement rules stating that procurement should be done directly from original equipment manufacturer only.