Click to play videoNew Delhi: Union Home Ministry has taken tough action after CNN-IBN exposed the bulletproof jackets scam.
Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO), Joint Director, Terminal Ballistic Research Laboratory RK Varma was on Thursday called from Chandigarh to Delhi and questioned during which he reportedly admitted to talks with bidders on the bulletproof jackets tenders.
He has also been is asked to explain the discrepancies during the trials.
During the questioning Varma was also confronted with a CD in which he is allegedly heard confessing to fudging technical data; attempting to collude with vendors on the price bid and claiming political patronage.
Varma reportedly admitted that the voice on the CD was his when grilled by senior officers from the Intelligence Bureau, DRDO and Home Ministry.
Sources say the Home Ministry is set to recommend action against the DRDO official as the trials were compromised.
DRDO, too, is likely to order a departmental inquiry against Varma.
Meanwhile, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), which was to use 20,000 of the 59,000 bulletproof jackets being purchased, has asked for a retrial.
The Home Ministry is expected to announce the retrial on Friday.
But those familiar with the process say any inquiry is incomplete without investigating the role of other members on the technical committee, especially those belonging to the Bureau of Police Research and Development.
It also remains unclear whether new procedures will be put in place, which will ensure better transparency, in procurement of critical life saving equipment.
Even though Varma's confessions are enough to show the compromise during the technical tests, his claims of enjoying political patronage have been dismissed as incredible.
Sources say the episode is being seen at the highest level as one having grave implications for India's national security.
Varma is likely to undergo detailed and prolonged questioning, and faces disciplinary action.
DRDO, too, has been asked to clean up its act and the tainted ballistic trials will likely be held again.
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