AgustaWestland deal: CBI to grill ex IAF chief SP Tyagi again today

The Central Bureau of Investigation will question former Indian Air Force chief SP Tyagi again today, in connection with alleged corruption of AgustaWestland VVIP chopper deal.

Tyagi was grilled yesterday based on the allegation against him by the CBI that he had reduced flying ceiling of the helicopter from 6 thousand metres to 4 thousand 5 hundred metres to include AgustaWestland in the bids.

However, this decision was reportedly taken in consultation with the officials of SPG and the Prime Minister's Office including then National Security Advisor M K Narayanan.

CBI has alleged that the reduction of the service ceiling, maximum height at which a helicopter can perform normally, allowed the UK-based firm to get into the fray as otherwise its helicopters were not even qualified for submission of bids.

Tyagi has denied allegations against him and claimed that the decision to reduce the ceiling was taken by a group of senior officials.

The agency had quizzed former IAF Deputy Chief J S Gujral on Saturday in the case.