AgustaWestland Report: Questions and Counter Questions

Another look at the probe into the AgustaWestland deal threw some interesting questions and counter-questions about two individuals.

A report revealing some exclusive details about two individuals who allegedly received kickbacks from the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper deal was uncovered by the news channel, CNN-IBN on Monday.

The report claims that Air Marshal Gautam Nayyar and Captain Shahi Bhushan Sharma took favours the accused in the case, Christian Michel.

Claims by the Report:

1. Retired Air Marshal Nayyar and his family along with Capt SB Sharma took trips to about a dozen places across the globe between 2010-2013.

2. Christian Michel paid for the tickets and hotel stay abroad. Ticket money alone amounts to 10 cr.

3. Retd Air Marshal Nayyar and Captain SB Sharma were traveling together during this time period.

4. Nayyar has been called for questioning by the Enforcement Directorate. And Captain Shashi Bhushan Sharma has also been called for questioning by the ED on the March 20.

5. Air Marshal Nayyar is the second senior officer to be questioned in the case. First was Air Chief Marshal SP Tyagi. When the channel tried to contact Air Marshal Nayyar, the reporter got no response.

Questions Raised by the Report:

1. How could retired officers afford such luxurios trips and stay?

2. Why was that kind of money spent by Christian Michel on Indian officers (if not for favours)?

Defence Analyst Ajai Shukla from Business Standard responded to the report with a few questions of his own. Shukla raised flags over the evidence and the money trail that was uncovered.

Ajai Shukla’s Counter Questions

1. The money trail from the travels by Air Marshal Nayyar and Capt SB Sharma might have come from the accused Christian Michel but where is the evidence that ties this money to the AgustaWestland deal? Michel might have been consulting Nayyar on legitimate grounds as many retired officers do.

2. When the individuals took this money, or favours, they were retired and in no position to influence any of the deals.

3. The authorities have not even filed a chargesheet in this case but every now and then it seems that stories are planted in the media to keep the story alive.