Tatas not named in graft case

The Tata Group said yesterday the court order in Switzerland relating to money laundering operations by members of the Abacha regime in Nigeria did not state that any of its subsidiaries was involved in payment of bribes.

"The Tatas have secured a copy of the relevant part of the court's order, and can confirm now that the order does not indicate that any Tata group company was involved with any illegal transactions. The order also does not state, as incorrectly reported, that any subsidiaries of Tata paid bribes," a spokesperson said.

"It is now clear that unwarranted confusion does seem to have been created by the acronym T.A.T.A.O.S.S Ltd S.A. for Trucks And Tractors for Africa Overseas Sales and Services Ltd SA and its similarity to the name 'Tata'. We reiterate that Trucks and Tractors for Africa Overseas Sales and Services Ltd SA is not a Tata Group company and no Tata Group company has any shareholding or beneficial ownership in this company. Further, at no point in time has this company represented the Tata group or any of its companies" the spokesperson added.