Former IAF chief to face second round of CBI enquiry today

New Delhi: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has started the second round of interrogation with the former IAF chief SP Tyagi, on Tuesday, May 3.

The investigative agency is supposed to take ahead the investigation with former IAF chief in which they had found a new link to the Augstawestland VVIP chopper scam.

The investigation:

• The bureau after quizzing Tyagi, on Monday, claimed that Tyagi visited Florance, Milan and Venice after his retirement.
• The CBI will now investigate the purpose of his visits to these foreign lands, stated a senior CBI official hinting that Tyagi may also be arrested depending upon their findings and his involvement in the scam.
• Former IAF chief SP Tyagi was examined by the CBI in connection with kickback charges in Augustawestland VVIP chopper deal.

What CBI officials said:

• A senior CBI official reportedly said, “the officers have now learned that Tyagi had visited Italy after he retired, they are finding out the purpose and details of his visit. He retired in 2007, and in 2008 or 2009 he visited Florence, Milan and Venice.”
• The investigating team is also checking details of his bank accounts and assets.

Highlights:

• Tyagi arrived at the CBI headquarters in New Delhi, on Monday, around 10 am and was quizzed till late in the evening.
• He will be questioned again on Tuesday. “The examination is with regard to kickback allegations in the case in the light of recent developments in Italy, especially the court verdict there,” the CBI officer said.
• Tyagi’s cousins — Sanjeev, Rajeev and Sandeep — will also be questioned soon.
• The Milan Court of Appeals has, in its recent order, given details of how alleged kickbacks were paid by helicopter-maker AgustaWestland and Tyagi’s name is mentioned in the court order at several points.
• CBI had lodged a case against Tyagi and 12 others, including Sanjeev, Rajeev and Sandeep, and European middlemen Carlo Gerosa, Guido Haschke and Christian Michel
• Delhi-based lawyer Gautam Khaitan, who allegedly played a key role in moving the bribe money, is likely to be examined Wednesday.
• The investigative agency has alleged that Tyagi had reduced the service ceiling (the maximum height) at which a helicopter can perform normally.
• Tyagi has, however, denied the allegations and has claimed that the decision to reduce the ceiling was taken by a group of senior officials.
• “The decision was taken in consultation with the Special Protection Group (SPG) and other top officials of the Prime Minister’s Office,” he stated.