The 14 crore bribe episode has paved way to confrontation between Defence Minister AK Antony and the Army Chief VK Singh. According to sources, the army chief has chosen to challenge the version of events offered by the defence minister. Yesterday, AK Antony had said that though he urged General VK Singh to take action after the kickback was offered to him in 2010, the army chief refused. The minister also said he did not initiate an investigation because General Singh did not submit a complaint in writing.

Sources close to the army chief say that he took whatever action he could. The lobbyist who allegedly visited him in his office and offered the money was Lt General (retd) Tejinder Singh. He allegedly wanted General Singh to clear the purchase of 1600 "sub-standard" Tatra trucks that are used to transport artillery and troops. Speaking to reporters, the retired officer said that he had not offered the army chief any money and that their meeting focused on his possible nomination as the head of the NTRO. General Singh's supporters say that he did not sanction the appointment. They also say that the chief did not allow the army to buy the new consignment of trucks from BEML, a defence Public Sector Unit that supplies Tatra trucks and other equipment to the army.

Though Tejinder Singh has denied offering the chief any money, a taped recording of the conversation has allegedly been delivered to the CBI, which was ordered on Monday to investigate the controversy. It's not clear who recorded the meeting between Tejinder Singh and the chief. Press Trust of India cites sources to state that the chief can be heard shouting on the tape. The authenticity of the tape has not yet been established. The CBI met the army chief on Monday but he will record his formal statement when he returns to Delhi after an official tour.

It is to be recalled that General Singh and Mr Antony spent most of last year engaged in a public battle over the army chief's age. General Singh wanted Army records amended to reflect that he was born in 1951 and not 1950, which is his year of birth according to the government. The issue could have affected when he would have to retire. General Singh became the first serving military chief to take the government to court but he withdrew his petition after Supreme Court judges suggested they would not be able to rule in his favour. General Singh will step down at the end of May.