AgustaWestland deal: ED to quiz Tyagi on May 5

Former Indian Air Force chief S.P. Tyagi, who is being questioned by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper deal, has now been summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

The Enforcement Directorate, which is also likely to summon the former IAF chief's cousins for questioning on May 6, is likely to grill Tyagi as part of its money laundering probe on the chopper deal a day before.

Meanwhile, Tyagi's second day of questing by the CBI began today at the top investigative agency's headquarters in CGO complex here.

Tyagi was grilled yesterday based on the allegation against him by the CBI that he had reduced flying ceiling of the helicopter from 6,000 to 4,500 metres to include AgustaWestland in the bid.

The 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 the allegations levelled 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 earlier on Saturday in connection with this case.