Invisible hand in copter scam probe: Parrikar

Targeting the previous UPA regime over the controversial AgustaWestland deal, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has said that the ongoing probe will focus on those named in the Italian Court judgement even as he suggested the role of an invisible hand in preventing a proper investigation earlier.

Replying to a short duration discussion in Rajya Sabha on AgustaWestland chopper deal yesterday, Mr Parrikar said, it appears that an invisible hand was guiding the action or inaction of CBI and ED and the country wants to know as to who instigated, supported and benefited from corruption, and the government will unravel the truth.

He said, there was corruption in AgustaWestland chopper deal, finalised during the UPA regime. The Minister said the Government will leave no stone unturned in bringing to justice those involved in the scam. Quoiting Milan court recent observation in AgustaWestland case, the Defence Minister said there is a proof of malafide intentions and there were omissions at many stages leading to cancellation of deal by India.

The Minister said, single vendor situation was created by the UPA so that AgustaWestland could become the final vendor. Mr Parrikar said there was relentless push by the



UPA to go in for the AgustaWestland choppers. He said, the Government cancelled the Chopper deal in response to appointment of aribitrator. He said, it was done just before the previous govt left, but the final order was made by the current government.

He said, the CBI that registered a case on March 12, 2013 did not bother to forward copy of FIR to ED for nine months and the ED did not act on FIR till July 2014. Mr Parrikar, along with Parliamentary Affairs Venkaiah Naidu, rejected the opposition demand for Supreme Court-monitored probe, protesting which Congress staged a walkout.

The CBI yesterday interrogated former Indian Air Force chief S P Tyagi in the Agusta Westland issue for the third consecutive day. The agency also examined lawyer Gautam Khaitan, who is also a former Board member of company Aeromatrix which was allegedly used to route the bribe amount. He will be questioned again today.

Meanwhile, Enforcement Directorate has summoned S P Tyagi. He will be grilled today. The Enforcement Directorate which has been probing the money laundering angle in the case, has also summoned cousins of Tyagi after his round of questioning is over besides realty firm Emaar MGF's owner Shravan Gupta.