Agusta Scam: Former Air Chief SP Tyagi appears before CBI for questioning
CBI today examined former IAF chief SP Tyagi in connection with alleged corruption in the Rs 3,600-crore AgustaWestland VVIP chopper deal. Tyagi arrived at CBI headquarters at around 10 AM for questioning.
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The Milan Court of Appeals -- the equivalent of an Indian high Court -- has given details of how alleged bribes were paid by helicopter-maker Finmeccanica and AgustaWestland to Indian officials through middlemen to clinch the deal.
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The order mentions the name of Tyagi at several points. CBI had registered a case against Tyagi along with 13 others including his cousins and European middlemen in the case.
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The allegation against the former Air Chief was that he had reduced flying ceiling of the helicopter from 6,000m to 4,500m (15,000ft)Â so that AgustaWestland was included in the bids.
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However, this decision was reportedly taken in consultation with the officials of SPG and the Prime Minister's Office including then National Security Adviser (NSA) M K Narayanan.
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CBI has alleged that the reduction of the service ceiling--maximum height at which a helicopter can perform normally--allowed the UK-based firm to get into the fray as otherwise its helicopters were not even qualified for submission of bids.
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CBI which has received a copy of the Milan court order has now prepared a fresh set of questionnaire  to put to Tyagi. Tyagi has denied allegations against him and has claimed that the decision to reduce the ceiling was taken by a group of senior officials.
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The agency had already questioned Tyagi but this session is the first after the Italian court order. His cousins have also been called by the agency.