Aerospace PSU Accuses Supplier Of Submitting 199 Forged Quality Test Certificates
State-run aerospace manufacturer Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has filed a criminal complaint against a Hyderabad based aerospace components supplier, alleging the submission of forged quality test reports linked to parts supplied for India’s Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas Mk1A programme.
According to reports, HAL lodged a cheating and forgery complaint against M Sivarama Prasad, Chief Executive Officer of Tec Aero Devices. The HAL Police Station has registered a case under Sections 420, 465, and 468 of the Indian Penal Code, which relate to cheating and forgery offences.
The complaint was filed by Ranu Gupta, Deputy General Manager of HAL’s Aircraft Division.
What Does HAL Allege?
HAL stated that it had awarded 18 purchase orders to Tec Aero Devices between March 2022 and September 2023 for the supply of various components required for the Tejas Mk1A fighter aircraft programme.
As part of standard aerospace procurement procedures, suppliers are required to provide material test certificates, inspection reports, and quality assurance documents before components are approved for use.
According to HAL, Tec Aero Devices submitted 199 test reports covering 172 separate components. During routine quality verification, HAL sought original records related to tensile strength, hardness, break load, shear, non-destructive testing, microstructure analysis, and salt spray testing.
However, the company allegedly failed to produce the original supporting documents.
Audit Raised Questions Over Report Authenticity
HAL’s complaint states that Tec Aero Devices had earlier informed the company that some of the reports had been issued by Hyderabad-based Axis Inspection Solutions.
To verify the documents, HAL conducted an audit at Axis Inspection Solutions in November 2023.
During the audit, the testing agency reportedly informed HAL that none of the 199 reports in question had been issued by the company. Axis Inspection Solutions also allegedly stated that its name, signatures, and credentials had been misused to generate fabricated test certificates.
Following internal verification and investigation, HAL concluded that the reports submitted between February and September 2023 were forged.
Supplier Debarred For Three Years
After issuing a showcause notice and conducting internal reviews, HAL debarred Tec Aero Devices from doing business with the organisation for three years until March 10, 2027.
The aerospace PSU also stated that no payments had been released against the disputed supplies.
Subsequently, HAL initiated criminal proceedings against the company and its chief executive officer following legal consultations and internal deliberations.
Police have now launched an investigation and are reportedly collecting relevant documents from HAL as part of the probe.
Supplier Responds To Allegations
Responding to media queries, Tec Aero Devices CEO M Sivarama Prasad said he was not aware of the police complaint.
However, he acknowledged that the company had been debarred by HAL in March 2024 over allegations related to fake laboratory certificates.
Prasad attributed the issue to actions by an employee and said the company had submitted multiple representations to HAL seeking revocation of the debarment. According to him, the company has since strengthened its quality control processes and recently submitted another request for reconsideration.
Why The Case Matters
The Tejas Mk1A programme is one of India’s most important indigenous defence aviation projects and forms a key part of the country’s efforts to strengthen domestic defence manufacturing capabilities.
Quality certification and testing documentation play a critical role in aerospace manufacturing, where component reliability and compliance standards are essential for operational safety and performance.
The outcome of the investigation could have wider implications for supplier quality assurance practices within India’s defence and aerospace ecosystem.
