AgustaWestland deal: ED seeks time to reply to Tyagi's plea for Switzerland visit

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Saturday sought time to file a reply on the application filed on behalf of Sanjeev Tyagi, cousin of former Indian Air Force chief SP Tyagi and accused of money laundering in AgustaWestland chopper deal, for seeking permission to travel to Switzerland.

It has been alleged that kickbacks were exchanged in the procurement of VVIP chopper from Italian firm AgustaWestland. Alleged middleman Christian Michel James, a British national, was only recently extradited to India from the UAE. He is currently in the CBI custody till December 10.

Sanjeev Tyagi, who recently got bail by the CBI Court in the case, is seeking permission to travel to Switzerland from January 9 to January 14. The CBI Court has sought the reply of Enforcement Directorate on his application.

It is worth mentioning that Sanjeev Tyagi, along with former Air Force chief S P Tyagi and advocate Gautam Khaitan have also sought withdrawal of the lookout circular issued against them.

SP Tyagi and his three cousins-Sanjeev, Rajeev, and Sandeep Tyagi-among others are the accused of money laundering in the VVIP chopper deal. The CBI court granted bail to them on September 12 on a bond of Rs 1 lakh each with the condition that the accused persons shall not leave India without the court's prior permission.