Hindustan Aeronautics Limited has filed an FIR against Hyderabad-based TEC Aero Devices after an internal audit allegedly found that 199 test reports submitted for Tejas Mk-1A spare parts were fake.
The case relates to the LCA-83-Mk1A project and centres on quality documents submitted for aircraft components supplied to HAL. The company has since been barred from doing business with HAL for three years, while the matter is now under police investigation.
According to the complaint filed by HAL Aircraft Division Deputy General Manager Ranu Gupta, the company had issued 18 purchase orders to M/s TEC Aero Devices from March 28, 2022, for the supply of various parts linked to the LCA-83-Mk1A project.
The complaint states that, as per the terms, TEC Aero Devices submitted samples, test reports and other required documents and secured approval certificates from HAL for manufacturing 35 categories of parts, covering a total of 172 items.
HAL sought original test reports from TEC Aero Devices
During bulk supply of spare parts, the company was required to submit original test reports. TEC Aero Devices submitted 199 test reports, according to the complaint.
At one stage, the Quality Control Department of HAL Aircraft Division asked the company to submit original reports related to tensile strength, hardness, break load, shear, NDT, microstructure, salt spray tests and other checks.
However, the company allegedly failed to provide the original reports. When HAL kept asking for the original reports, TEC Aero Devices sent its representatives to the division with an apology letter dated November 22, 2023.
In that letter, according to the complaint, the company admitted that it had submitted two incorrect reports in the name of Axis Inspection Solutions, Hyderabad.
Audit found all 199 reports were allegedly fake
The admission raised suspicion within HAL, following which the Aircraft Division decided to verify all 199 test reports submitted by TEC Aero Devices.
HAL then moved to verify the reports directly with Axis Inspection Solutions in Hyderabad. An audit conducted on November 29, 2023, allegedly showed that none of the 199 reports submitted by TEC Aero Devices had been issued by Axis.
According to the complaint, all test reports submitted by TEC Aero Devices between February and September 2023 were forged.
Axis Inspection Solutions, in a letter sent to HAL the same day, said TEC Aero Devices had allegedly misused its name and forged signatures to prepare and submit the fake reports.
TEC Aero Devices barred from HAL business till March 2027
After the alleged fraud was detected, HAL barred TEC Aero Devices from doing business with it for three years, up to March 10, 2027.
The complaint also states that no financial payment had been made by HAL Aircraft Division to TEC Aero Devices till that point.
Based on the letter received from Axis Inspection Solutions, HAL issued a show-cause notice to TEC Aero Devices, proposing that the company be barred from business dealings.
Axis Inspection Solutions had stated in its letter that TEC Aero Devices had deliberately misused its name and submitted forged reports.
Company sought forgiveness in December 2023
TEC Aero Devices, in a letter dated December 20, 2023, requested that its mistake be forgiven.
On January 6, 2024, HAL Aircraft Division informed TEC Aero Devices that it had been removed from the approved suppliers’ list for a period of three years.
The matter was later discussed in internal meetings, where it was decided that action should be initiated against TEC Aero Devices by filing an FIR.
HAL said the complaint was filed after internal procedures were completed. It has sought legal action against TEC Aero Devices for allegedly submitting forged test reports.