Indian Arms Dealer Under Scanner For Involvement In Pilatus Trainer Deal

Delhi-based arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari has come under scanner once again after the media reports allege that he is also involved in financial crime related to Pilatus trainer aircraft deal.

Investigators are probing what kind of services his company, the Offset India Solution Private Limited, had provided to Swiss aircraft major Pilatus, NDTV reported. Mr Bhandari is already being investigated for allegedly buying a proxy-owned house for Robert Vadra in London.

NDTV cited unnamed government officials as saying that documents recovered from Sanjay Bhandari's  properties reveal that his company, Offset India Solution Private Limited, had  received  around 7,50,000 Swiss Francs from Pilatus in 2010.

India had signed a Rs. 2,896 crore deal for 75 BTA with Pilatus Aircraft in May 2012.

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar said investigation is under way, but India will not stop flying the trainer aircraft.

"I will investigate, but will not stop flying the aircraft," Mr Parrikar said.

18 properties owned or linked to Mr Bhandari were raided last month by investigators who allege he has committed a variety of financial crimes.