Chopper Scam: “SP Tyagi Bought Land In Cash, Did Not Inform Govt”

The ex-IAF chief has been accused in the Rs 450-crore bribery case and is currently out on bail.

Former air force chief SP Tyagi. (Photo: PTI)

Former India Air Force chief SP Tyagi, accused in Rs 3,600-crore AgustaWestland chopper scam, allegedly paid crores of rupees in cash to purchase properties in Gurugram while he was heading the force. These assets were not declared to the government, top CBI sources said on Wednesday.

They claimed that as per rules, it is mandatory to disclose information on any such acquisition to the government in the absence of which, the person can be proceeded against.

A ‘Collective’ Decision

Tyagi has, so far, not denied meeting the middlemen and since he knew that no middlemen are allowed in defence deals, why did he not sound an alarm or recommend cancellation of the chopper deal, they questioned.

Tyagi did not respond to messages sent to him seeking his reaction on the allegations.

His counsel had earlier claimed that the decision to procure the 12 VVIP choppers from AgustaWestland was a “collective” one and the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) was also a part of it.

The CBI sources said bail jurisprudence relies on the fact that if the accused is not able to tamper the evidence or influence the witnesses, bail is granted.

Also Read: Sanjeev Tyagi, Lawyer Granted Bail in AgustaWestland Chopper Scam

Probe Could Be ‘Hampered’

The special court has not passed any decision on the merit of the case, they said, adding that the agency has already filed an appeal before the Delhi High Court challenging his bail claiming its probe would be “hampered” if he remains out.

It is alleged that Tyagi recommended reductions in key parameters of the helicopters which made AgustaWestland a candidate in the deal. The CBI in its FIR named him along with his three cousins for allegedly misusing official position to help the company.

Sources said the arrest of Tyagi is the beginning of the investigation and “every gamut” of the contract given to the UK-based AgustaWestland will be covered.

CBI Likely to Expand Its Probe To Political Arena

The CBI sources said the agency is likely to expand its probe to those in the political arena as well.

They said the material, which was produced during the trial in Italy, was received by the agency through Letters Rogatory which will stand as evidence under Section 166 of the CrPC.

They further said the agency will probe every aspect of the alleged bribery including questioning of people whose names surfaced during the hearing in the Italian courts.

A handwritten note was produced by the prosecutors, during the hearings in Italian courts, which carried 15 initials – some of them were referred to be of a few influential politicians.

They may be diary entries, but if we are able to connect the dots and produce corresponding evidence including the money trail, it will be treated as evidence in the Indian courts, agency sources said while replying to a query that scribbles and diary entries are not treated as evidence in India.

The sources, however, clarified that the CBI is trying to get hold of Christian Michel, an alleged middleman, who is based in the UAE and is facing a Red Corner Notice.

They said another middleman, Guido Haschke, had entered a plea bargain in a Italian court and his testimonies will be used to examine the alleged role of various people in India.

(With inputs from PTI)