Forged test reports case: TEC Aero Devices booked after HAL complaint on LCA Mk-1A supplies

A Hyderabad-based firm, TEC Aero Devices, has been booked after Hindustan Aeronautics Limited alleged it submitted 199 forged test reports for LCA Mk-1A components. The FIR, filed on June 2 at the HAL police station, names CEO M Sivarama Prasad. Police invoked cheating and forgery sections as HAL sought original quality-test documents.

Police registered a case against Hyderabad-based TEC Aero Devices over claims of forged test reports linked to the LCA Mk-1A project. The FIR said 199 reports were submitted to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) during component supplies. The complaint came from Ranu Gupta, Deputy General Manager, HAL Aircraft Division. The case was filed on June 2 at the HAL police station.

The FIR named M Sivarama Prasad, CEO of TEC Aero Devices, as the accused. Police added sections that deal with cheating and forgery. HAL said it took internal discussions before seeking criminal action. The FIR said this process delayed the complaint. There was no immediate response from TEC Aero Devices.

LCA Mk-1A project test reports and purchase orders

HAL said it issued 18 purchase orders to TEC Aero Devices from March 2022 onwards. These orders covered different components for the LCA Mk-1A programme. HAL said the supplier secured approval certificates for 35 part categories. The approval followed submission of samples, test reports, and other papers during the qualification stage.

HAL said bulk supplies required original test reports from the vendor. The Quality Control Department later asked for originals on several checks. These included tensile strength, hardness, break load, shear, NDT, microstructure, and salt spray tests. The complaint alleged TEC Aero Devices did not provide the original documents when asked.

LCA Mk-1A project audit findings on forged test reports

HAL said TEC Aero Devices representatives gave an apology letter on November 22, 2023. The letter admitted two incorrect reports were submitted under Hyderabad-based Axis Inspection Solutions. HAL then audited Axis Inspection Solutions on November 29, 2023. The audit aimed to verify the 199 test reports TEC Aero Devices had submitted.

The audit allegedly found Axis Inspection Solutions did not issue any of those reports. The FIR said all 199 reports were forged and were submitted between February and September 2023. Axis Inspection Solutions told HAL its name and signatures were misused. HAL treated the reports as fake documents linked to supplies for the LCA Mk-1A programme.

LCA Mk-1A project supplier action and payment status

After the findings, HAL debarred TEC Aero Devices for three years. The ban runs until March 10, 2027, and HAL also removed the firm from its approved supplier list. The complaint stated HAL made no payments to the company. HAL said the decision followed internal meetings before the criminal complaint was filed.

The LCA Mk1 Light Combat Aircraft Tejas Mk1 is India’s first indigenously designed supersonic multi-role fighter aircraft. Officials said the Aeronautical Development Agency designed it. Hindustan Aeronautics Limited manufactures it for the Indian Air Force. Officials said the aircraft was planned to replace the ageing MiG-21 fleet and supports air, ground, and maritime roles.

With inputs from PTI