TNN | Apr 22, 2012, 01.53AM IST
NEW DELHI: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the Tatra scam is examining a connection between Madhya Pradesh IAS couple Arvind Joshi and Tinoo Joshi, who are facing graft charges, and London-based businessman Ravi Rishi.
The CBI is looking at Rishi’s Vectra Group acquiring maximum shares in Greater Noida’s Indian Exposition Mart Limited (IEML) at the time when Tinoo Joshi was posted as Development Commissioner Handicrafts in the ministry of textiles.
Sources said the agency is scrutinizing the bank accounts of the IAS couple, who were suspended by the MP government after the Income Tax department recovered more than Rs 3 crore cash during a raid at their house in February, 2010.
CBI is examining transaction details of 70 bank accounts of the suspended IAS couple and an official said “All entries in their accounts and related transaction details are being looked at. We may question the IAS couple in this regard”.
“Acquisition of majority shares in IEML by the Vectra Group is under the scanner. There are allegations that role of Joshi was crucial role in this acquisition,” said the source. The agency recently conducted raids at IEML in Greater Noida and have recovered certain documents in this regard.
The agency is investigating Rishi, a majority stakeholder in Tatra Sipox (UK), for alleged irregularities in the purchase of more than 6,000 Tatra trucks after Army chief Gen V K Singh claimed that he was offered a Rs 14 crore bribe on behalf of the businessman. The CBI is also taking assistance of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and the Income Tax department in this regard.
The CBI may also soon question Rishi again after having already sought assistance of the Interpol to get details about certain companies – allegedly associated with the NRI businessman – that are based in Slovakia, Czech Republic, the UK and Liechtenstein.
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