The Defence Ministry has suspended the administrator cum-overseeing chief of public sector company Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) on a demand by the CBI.

V.R.S. Natarajan left his office in Bangalore instantly subsequent to getting the notice this evening.

Protection service sources said the CBI had requested his suspension since it was researching his part in the test into charges that BEML was providing sub-standard trucks to the armed force. The grievances were alluded to the CBI by protection serve after previous armed force boss Gen. (retd) V.K. Singh charged that he was offered a reward of Rs 14 crore to reestablish an agreement for the trucks.

Defence Ministry discharge stated "The government has put the CMD of BEML, V.R.S. Natarajan, under suspension following a proposal by the CBI that he ought to be avoided the post to guarantee reasonable examination. The CBI is presently researching into different charges against Mr. Natarajan."

Defence Ministry representative Sitanshu Kar said the charge of CMD had been given to P. Dwarkanath, senior-most utilitarian Director in BEML. He is being addressed by the CBI for a situation with respect to charged inconsistencies in acquisition and supply of Tatra vehicles to the Army.