In an attempt to crack the suspect name codes and the alleged kickbacks paid in the VVIP chopper deal, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has sought information from the Defence Ministry, Income Tax department and the Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) regarding the details about officials and other individuals figuring in the case.
ED Questions SP Tyagi for the First Time
Former IAF chief SP Tyagi was questioned on Thursday by the ED in connection with the Rs 3,600 crore VVIP helicopter deal after being quizzed for three days by the CBI in the case.
Sources said Tyagi’s statement was recorded under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
This is the first time that the ex-Chief of Staff of the Indian Air Force has been summoned by the ED.
The allegation against the former Air chief is that he allegedly reduced the height of the VVIP helicopters so that AgustaWestland could be included in the bids.
The ED had registered a PMLA case against him in 2014 and named 21 people including Tyagi in its money laundering FIR. It had also arrested Delhi-based businessman Gautam Khaitan and had also filed a charge sheet in 2015.
Tyagi, however, has denied any wrongdoing on his part.
Khaitan Accepted Taking Payments From Middlemen: CBI
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) began questioning former Air Vice-Marshal NV Tyagi and advocate and former board member of Aeromatrix Gautam Khaitan on Thursday
The CBI also claimed that Khaitan has accepted taking payments from Guido Haschke and Carlo Gerosa, middlemen in the Agusta Westland Chopper deal, but rejected allegations that it was part of any kickbacks.
He has agreed taking payment from European middlemen Guido Haschke and Carlo Gerosa. However, we do not agree with the purpose behind the payment which has been cited by him.CBI
While the questioning of Khaitan continued for about 10 hours, NV Tyagi left within four hours after recording his statement before the investigators.
CBI has called Khaitan for questioning on Friday again.
The agency sources said Tyagi cousins – Sandeep, Sanjeev, Rajeev will be called on Friday for questioning. The three brothers are named in the CBI FIR.
The CBI had registered a case against former Air Chief SP Tyagi along with 13 others including his cousins and European middlemen.
(With inputs from PTI.)
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