Defence scam: Subi Malli appears before CBI

Subi Malli, who allegedly mediated deals between various ordnance factories and the Steel and Industrial Forgings Limited (SIFL), Kerala, for the supply of components for battle tanks, submitted before the CBI office in Mumbai on Thursday.

She was summoned for an inquiry to be conducted next week. According to CBI officials, Subi, the owner of Subhishi Impex, gave a statement to the officials regarding the case.

She was in New Delhi when the CBI conducted raids on the premises of the Indian Ordnance Factory, Medak, the Heavy Vehicles Factory, Avadi,  Steel and Industrial Forgings Ltd (SIFL), Thrissur, and the house of M Shanavas, former managing director, SIFL.

“She gave the assurance to come here as part of the inquiry proceedings next week and the decision regarding her arrest would be taken only after interrogation,” CBI officials said.

The CBI said that they were interrogating Shanavaz and Valsan, senior managers, SIFL.

However, the arrest of the duo, if needed, would be made only after a complete examination of the documents seized during the raids.

“The accused are cooperating with the investigation team. They would be arrested when required,” CBI officials said.

The CBI is in the process of identifying the officials of the Indian Ordinance Factory and Heavy Vehicles Factory who facilitated the deal.

“Our team is in Chennai and Hyderabad to probe the role of defence officials in the deal. They would be identified soon,” a CBI official said.