Govt. not taking any vindictive actions: Gadkari on AgustaWestland deal

Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has said the BJP-led NDA Government is not taking any vindictive actions with regard to the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper deal, adding the truth is coming out on the matter.

"It's the Italy Court which gave decision and disclosed about who took bribes, be it officials or leaders. It's court's decision. The government is not taking any vindictive actions," he told ETV News Network head Jagdeesh Chandra in a recent interview when asked whether the government will take this issue to a logical level.

The CBI today questioned former Air chief S.P. Tyagi at its headquarter here in connection with alleged irregularities in the Rs. 3600 crore VVIP chopper deal with AgustaWestland.

The investigating agency had earlier on Saturday quizzed former IAF deputy chief J.S. Gujral in connection with this case.

Both Tyagi and Gujral were questioned at length in 2013, but the fresh round of questioning was necessitated after recent order of an Italian Court which indicated corruption in the deal.

The investigating agency had registered a case against Tyagi along with 13 others, including his cousins and European middlemen in the case.

Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar has said that he would place all facts along with the detailed chronology about the controversial AgustaWestland chopper deal before the Parliament on May 4.

Parrikar, who was talking to reporters on the sidelines of a function in Goa's Panaji yesterday, said the details will include how and when necessary clauses or provisions were relaxed to suit the company.

"Those who received kickbacks will not leave behind the proof to prosecute them, but the government will make every effort to prove it," he said.