HAL file cheating, forgery case against Hyderabad supplier over alleged forged test reports for Tejas Mk1A components

A Tejas aircraft (LCA) takes off during the inauguration of Aero India 2025 at IAF Yelahanka Air Force Station in Bengaluru on February 10, 2025. | Photo credit: MURALI KUMAR K.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) has filed a complaint of cheating and forgery against a Hyderabad-based aerospace component supplier, alleging that the company submitted 199 fake test reports in connection with the supply of parts for the Tejas Mk1A Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) programme.

Acting on a complaint lodged by Rana Gupta, Deputy General Manager, Aircraft Division, HAL, the HAL police last Tuesday registered a case against M. Sivaram Prasad, Managing Director, M/s Tec Aero Devices, under Sections 420, 465 and 468 of the Indian Penal Code.

According to the complaint, HAL issued 18 purchase orders to Tec Aero Devices between March 2022 and September 2023 for the supply of various components required for the Tejas Mk1A programme. In accordance with the terms of purchase, the supplier was required to provide material test certificates, inspection reports and other supporting documents before accepting bulk deliveries.

HAL claimed that the company submitted 199 test reports relating to 172 components. During quality checks, HAL sought original reports on tensile strength, hardness, fracture, shear, non-destructive testing (NDT), microstructure and salt spray tests. However, the supplier allegedly did not submit original documents.

Subsequently, Tec Aero Devices sent a letter dated November 22, 2023, crediting Hyderabad-based Axis Inspection Solutions with two test reports. HAL conducted an audit at Axis Inspection Solutions on 29 November 2023 to verify the authenticity of the documents.

During the audit, Axis Inspection Solutions reportedly informed HAL that the company had not issued any of the 199 reports. In a written communication, Axis further alleged that its name and signatures were misused to create fabricated reports.

HAL concluded that the reports submitted by Tec Aero Devices between February and September 2023 were forged. Following the findings, the public sector aerospace manufacturer issued a show cause notice and later banned Tec Aero Devices from doing business with HAL for three years, until March 10, 2027.

The complaint alleges that HAL did not release any payments to the firm in connection with the disputed supplies. After internal deliberations and legal consultations, HAL decided to initiate criminal proceedings against the company and its CEO.

The police have registered a case and started further investigation into the alleged submission of forged quality certification documents. Police have sought verification documents from HAL to confirm the claim and for further investigation.

HAL has confirmed that an FIR has been lodged against the aero component supplier.

Responding to queries from The Hindu, the Hyderabad-based firm’s CEO, Prasad, said he was not aware of a police complaint filed by HAL.

However, he confirmed that the company was banned by HAL in March 2024 for three years on charges of submitting fake laboratory certificates. Attributing this to one of the employees, Mr Prasad said the company had submitted several representations to HAL, including one a few weeks ago, in an attempt to remove the debarment.

Citing improvements it had made in quality systems, TAD Aerospace had asked HAL to inspect the facility, he said.

(With inputs from Hyderabad office)

Published – 09 Jun 2026 20:11 IST