Fourth chargesheet filed in Tehelka case

New Delhi, Nov 18 (UNI) The CBI has filed the fourth chargesheet in the 'Tehelka Tape' cases, against an Assistant Financial Advisor (AFA) of the Finance Division of the Ministry of Defence.

The AFA, now under suspension, has been charged for commission of offences punishable under sections 7, 9 and 13(2) r/w 13(1)(d) of the Prevention of Corruption Act 1988 for his having accepted a bribe of Rs.10000 in order to facilitate procurement of order for supply of Hand Held Thermal Imagers (HHTI) to the Indian Army.

The case was registered against him on December 6, 2004.

Investigation reavealed that during November 2000, a representative of Tehelka.Com held two meetings with the afore said officer, who besides providing him with advice, as to how should the said company operate, also offered to give some references of middlemen who had approach at various levels and also promised to take care of the interest of the fictitious company, M/s. West End International by managing his friends in the Finance Department of the Ministry of Defence.

Forensic sampling of his voice along with the video tapes covering the aforesaid meetings affirmed his involvement.

The Special Judge Ms I K Kochar has already taken congnisance of the chargesheet and has fixed December 4 for further proceedings in the matter.

The first Chargesheet in the Tehelka Tape cases was filed in July, 2006 against a former president of a politicial party.

Subsequently, two more chargesheets were filed -- one in August against a Staff Officer of Ordnance Factory Cell of the Ministry of Defence and the other in September this year against the former treasurer of a political party.

UNI AN SK RAI2043