Former IAF chief Tyagi gets bail in AgustaWestland case

Former Air Chief Marshal S.P. Tyagi, arrested on December 9 on the charges of receiving kickbacks in the multi-million-dollar AgustaWestland VVIP helicopter deal, was given a bail by a special court here on Monday.

Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Special Judge Arvind Kumar allowed Tyagi's bail application and asked him to furnish a personal bond of Rs 2 lakh and a surety of a like amount.

"He (Tyagi) was in custody for 18 days. No purpose will be served by keeping (the) accused behind the bars," the court said.

The judge granted bail to Tyagi, 72, after considering his age and medical condition.

Tyagi was directed by the court not to leave Delhi without prior permission and to join the investigation whenever required.

The court also warned him against tampering with evidence or influencing witnesses in the case.

The court observed that the case was based on documents and Tyagi had earlier joined the investigation as and when called by the CBI and was also interrogated in custody.

It noted as unfounded the CBI apprehensions that the former Indian Air Force chief may tamper with evidences or influence the witnesses who had been subordinate to him during the tenure of his service.

Tyagi and two others, arrested on December 9, were sent to the judicial custody till December 30.

Tyagi -- the first chief of any wing of the armed forces to be arrested in the country -- and the others were allegedly involved in irregularities in the procurement of 12 AW-101 VVIP helicopters from Britain-based AgustaWestland.

Tyagi has denied the charge. The other two accused in the case have also sought the bail from the court.

The CBI alleges that Tyagi and the other accused had received bribes from AgustaWestland helping the manufacturer to win the $530 million contract to purchase the helicopters for the Communication Squadron of Indian Air Force to carry President, Prime Minister and other VVIPs.

--IANS

akk-ruwa/sar/vt