The Quint has accessed documents which clearly reveal that the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) was sitting on some crucial information shared by ex-IAF chief SP Tyagi’s brother Sanjeev Tyagi with the investigators. In his statement to the agency, recorded in 2014, Sanjeev revealed that SP Tyagi and his other brothers, including himself, were partners in a consultancy company named Krishanom. Krishanom was set up in 2010 and is one of the five companies owned by SP Tyagi. He also gave leads to the agency, trying to establish SP Tyagi also made certain other investments.
Why Did the CBI and ED Do Nothing With Crucial Information?
It can be asked if the agencies were told to go slow in the AgustaWestland probe. Or was it just that they were merely waiting for the Italian court’s order to move ahead with the investigation?
The CBI has questioned the ex-IAF Chief for three consecutive days now. According to agency sources, till now, the bribe money trail cannot be traced back to SP Tyagi’s companies – Vanshi, Anuras, Shravan, Krishanom and Meghanshu. In fact, the CBI has not moved an iota ahead in the investigation.
The source further informed that the agency was aware these companies since the initial stages of the investigation. He also said that as these companies are located in India, it was not difficult for them to gather evidence. But he couldn’t really explain why no action was taken.
After the CBI , the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned SP Tyagi for questioning on Thursday. The ED is investigating the money-laundering aspect in the scam.
Money Trails and a Trial for the Agencies
On Wednesday, Gautam Khaitan and Tyagi were questioned by the CBI. Khaitan is the former board member of Aeromatrix, the company which allegedly received the bribe money from AgustaWestland.
The CBI claimed that Khaitan, during his questioning, admitted setting up IDS Tunisia. According to sources, IDS Tunisia is a subsidiary of IDS India – the company was one among many through which the alleged bribe was routed by AgustaWestland middlemen to other countries.
According to the CBI FIR, Khaitan allegedly routed money to SP Tyagi. Both Khaitan and Tyagi were confronted during questioning with these details.
It seems the CBI is trying to make efforts to crack the bribe money trail, but with little success. Will the agency be able to complete the investigation this time, or will it be once again put in cold storage due to political pressure?
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