Court Issues Summons to Former IAF Chief, 9 Others in AgustaWestland VVIP Chopper Case

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) of India has issued summons to former Indian Air Force chief SP Tyagi and others over AgustaWestland VVIP helicopter bribery case.

Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Special Judge Arvind Kumar issued the summons, asking them to appear before him on December 20, Economic Times reported Wednesday.

The CBI on Monday formally filed charges against former Indian Air Force chief SP Tyagi and nine others on Friday.

The scandal broke out in Italy in 2013 and a CBI probe was ordered here following allegations that more than Rs 360 crore ($55 million) were paid as bribe to Indian officials and international middlemen, Pioneer newspaper reported.

The contract was later cancelled for breach of pre-contract integrity pact which bars commissions, bribes or middlemen. The helicopters are manufactured by AgustaWestland, a UK-based subsidiary of Italian conglomerate Finmeccanica. AgustaWestland had delivered three helicopters to the IAF before the contract was cancelled which are lying unused in Delhi.

The Indian Government recovered more than Rs 2,000 crore which was the entire amount paid as per the contract terms if the integrity pact was breached.

The chargesheet on Friday was filed before Special CBI Judge Arvind Kumar in Delhi and the court fixed September 6 for arguments, when the CBI is likely to file more documents and annexures.