Rule of law will be followed in ex-IAF chief Tyagi case: Antony

Reiterating that India is a democracy and has always followed the Rule of Law in all matters of legal import, Defence Minister A.K.Antony said this would also apply to all of the alleged accused in the Agusta-Westland VVIP helicopter scam case, including former IAF chief Air Chief Marshal S.P. Tyagi.

Interacting with media on the sidelines of DEFEXPO 2014 on Thursday, Antony while replying to a question on Tyagi, said: "We are a democracy and we follow the Rule of Law. There are two inquiries going on (in connection with the Agusta-Westland case) - one by the CBI, and the other in a court in Milan, Italy. The CBI has filed FIRs against individuals. Unless the CBI inquiry takes final shape, CBI cannot punish anybody. Punishment will be given by the court."

Antony further said the need of the hour was to show patience, as the inquiry was going along smoothly.

"The CBI inquiry is at an advanced stage. In Milan, the Italian court is also attending to the case. It is a process. I would not like to jump the gun, and comment on something that is still passing through the legal process," Antony said.

The case relates to 51 million euros being allegedly paid as bribes to bag the deal for 12 VVIP choppers for the Indian Air Force.

Tyagi is named as an accused in the Italian case and is also being investigated as an accused by the CBI that has registered a case into the scandal.