CBI probing BEL officers’ nexus with defence vendors

BEL, a public sector entity under the Ministry of Defence, meets the specialised electronics requirements of the defence forces. BEL’s Chennai unit is located at Nandambakkam, while vendors involved in the fraud have their offices in Chennai, Coimbatore and Hyderabad.

CBI’s anti-corruption branch has registered a case against Dhara Prasad, former assistant manager, Chennai, and now working in Hyderabad; P Lingasamy, deputy manager, BEL, Chennai; Venkata Phaniendra, former deputy manager, Chennai and now working in BEL, Machilipatinam; and Chandran of Micro Machines Tools, Chennai; along with three other vendors Naanal Tech, Chennai; Aimer Electronics Solutions, Coimbatore; and Eldaas Tech, Bengaluru.

CBI booked the case under various sections, including criminal conspiracy, cheating, misappropriation etc., along with provisions of Prevention of Corruption Act.

According to the CBI, the three officers, while working in Chennai during 2013-2019 period, entered into a criminal conspiracy with the vendors to cheat or misappropriate funds of BEL. Dhara Prasad made unauthorized payments to the vendors to the tune of Rs 8.89 crore. The said vendors accepted the funds credited in their accounts, knowingly well that they did not supply any materials. Of the four vendors, Micro Machine Tools has received Rs 8.74 crore. While Aimer Electronic Solutions received Rs 6.43 lakh, Eldaas Tech received Rs 2.63 lakh, and Naanal Tech Rs 6.5 lakh.

The CBI started the probe after the agency received a complaint from the general manager, BEL, Chennai about swindling of funds meant for defence forces.