House panel to question air chief

Parliament's standing committee on defence, headed by Congress member Raj Babbar, has decided to question Air Chief Marshal N A K Browne, the Air Force chief, over the helicopter purchase controversy. The panel is scheduled to meet tomorrow.

A source said: "The government was aware of the scam and some Opposition members had written to the defence minister. But the issue was never discussed by the committee. Most of the members want to question the air chief marshal about the deal."

One reason the panel members, dominated by the ruling coalition, are keen to know the facts was, Congress sources said, that the scam took place when the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance was in power.

In a related development, the Central Bureau of Investigation today questioned Aeromatrix chief Pravin Bakshi, said a PTI report. He was named in the preliminary inquiry registered on January 28. Sources said Bakshi was questioned about the structure of the company and relations with alleged Italian middlemen, among other things.

The Air Force had signed a ¤560-million ($735-million) deal for delivery of 12 high-security AgustaWestland choppers for use by VVIPs. The contract was concluded in February 2010. The government had ordered a CBI inquiry into the contract for procurement from Finmeccanica, the Italian arm of AgustaWestland, UK, after Italian police arrested Finmeccanica'c chief executive, Giuseppe Orsi, on February 12. Orsi was alleged to have been involved in payment of bribes to Indian officials.

CBI has registered a preliminary inquiry in the case and named 14 people, including ex-air chief Tyagi and three of his cousins. Tyagi has vehemently denied any link to the alleged scam. Also named are four companies �" AgustaWestland, Finmeccanica, Aeromatrix and IDS Infotech.

Though opposition members feel Tyagi should also be summoned, a decision is yet to be taken.