into fray: CBINew Delhi, Oct 13 (PTI) Former Deputy Chief of Air StaffJ S Gujral had tweaked operational requirements for VVIPhelicopters from "should be twin engines" to "at least twinengines", paving the way for AgustaWestland's entry into thebidding for the 12-helicopter deal, the CBI has alleged.
The agency, in its charge sheet filed before a specialCBI court last month, has alleged that in a meeting on April1, 2005, attended by the then defence secretary, theoperational requirement of the VVIP helicopters was decided tobe of "twin engines".
The CBI has alleged that during the meeting there was nosuggestion for any amendment in the requirements that thehelicopters "should be twin engined".
It has alleged that helicopters having more than twinengines and one engine were not eligible for the bids.
"However, by adding the word 'at least' before 'twinengined' the helicopter EH-101 (subsequently known as AW-101)was dishonestly and fraudulently made eligible to participatein the bids with the approval of Air Chief Marshal S P Tyagi,"the CBI has alleged.
The changes were made without assigning any reason, theagency alleged.
"As per the directions of Air Marshal (Retd) J S Gujral,Air Cmde M Matheswaran added the word 'at least' before thewords 'twin engined'...," the CBI alleged in the charge sheet.
Gujral discussed these revised requirements with the thenair chief S P Tyagi and Vice Chief S K Malik and obtained"oral approval" of Tyagi, it claimed.
He gave a note that the "above (matter) was discussed"during PSOs conference, the CBI said.
"Investigation has established that Air Marshal J SGujral has taken false plea that the revised ORs (operationalrequirements) were to be thoroughly discussed and to be put upaccordingly," it said.
It is amply clear that the word "at least" was insertedby Air Commodore M Matheswaran on the instructions of AirMarshal J S Gujral in furtherance of the criminal conspiracywith other persons in order to favour and accommodate EH-101for participating in the bidding process, it alleged.
"Investigation has revealed that the exact copy of thesaid revised ORs approved by the Chief of Air Staff on April13, 2005, has been recovered by Swiss Police from the house ofHaschke's (one of the European middlemen) mother duringsearch. The same has been received in the execution report ofLR from Italian authority," it said.
LRs are Letters Rogatory or judicial request in whichinvestigation agency of one country requests agency of anothercountry to conduct probe in their jurisdiction. These requestsare routed through the court of one country to another.
The agency has alleged that there was an estimated lossof 398.21 million euros (approximately Rs 2,666 crore) to theexchequer in the deal that was signed on February 8, 2010, forthe supply of VVIP choppers worth 556.262 million euros.
Seventy-two-year old Tyagi is the first chief of the IAFto be chargesheeted in a corruption or a criminal case by theCBI.
Others named in the charge sheet are -- Gujral, Tyagi'scousin Sanjeev alias Julie, advocate Gautam Khaitan, allegedEuropean middlemen Carlo Gerosa, Christian Michel, GuidoHaschke, former AgustaWestland CEO Bruno Spagnolini and formerFinmeccanica Chairman Giuseppe Orsi.
They have been chargesheeted for offences under thePrevention of Corruption Act and the IPC in the case relatingto alleged bribery of Rs 450 crore. PTI ABS SMNSMN.
This is unedited, unformatted feed from the Press Trust of India wire.