EX Air Chief SP Tyagi blames Manmohan Singh's office for irregularities in VVIP Chopper scam

These are the first arrests in the AgustaWestland case which came into limelight three years ago. CBI had registered an FIR in 2013.

Former Air Chief SP Tyagi who has been arrested in connection with the Rs 3,600 crore Agusta Westland VVIP choppers scam has blamed former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s office for irregularities.

SP Tyagi who was produced before Patiala court today has been sent to four days of CBI custody by the Delhi High Court.

Tyagi had retired in 2007 but was questioned and was under CBI’s radar ever since the reports of the Agusta Westland VVIP Chopper deal’s scam emerged. The CBI has also arrested Gautam Khetan and Sanjeev Tyagi in connection with the scam.

Reports suggest that Tyagi had accepted bribes to turn the deal in favour of AgustaWestland, a subsidiary of Finmeccanica.

These are the first arrests in the AgustaWestland case which came into limelight three years ago. CBI had registered an FIR in 2013 to investigate the allegations of corruption in the deal.

“It was alleged that Chief of Air Staff (CAS) entered into criminal conspiracy with other accused persons and in 2005, conceded to change IAFs consistent stand that service ceiling of VVIP Helicopters 6000 mtrs was an inescapable operational necessity and reduced the same to 4500 meters.” CBI spokesperson said.

“It was revealed during investigation that such undue favours were shown to said UK-based private company by accepting illegal gratification from the accused vendors through middlemen/relatives including his cousin and an advocate etc. who accepted the illegal gratification for exercising influence through illegal means, or using personal influence over the concerned public servants,” he added.

However, the three accused have denied the claims of having accepting a bribe.

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