Chopper deal scam: MHA to explain how accused went to Germany

Image
Press Trust of India New Delhi
Last Updated : Oct 10 2013 | 5:11 PM IST
Two top officials of departments under the Union Home Ministry have been directed by a Delhi court to explain how one of the accused in the Rs 3,600 crore VVIP helicopter deal scam was allowed to go to Germany without its permission.
Observing this as a "serious lapse", special CBI judge Ravinder Kaur issued notices to Joint Director of Immigration Bureau and the DCP of Foreigner Regional Registration Offices (FRRO) seeking their explanations by October 23.
One of the accused Pratap Kishan Aggarwal, Chairman and Managing Director of IDS Infotech, was allowed by the court to travel to UK, Scotland, Denmark, Sweden, France, the Netherlands and Belgium from September 13 to October 6 but it was brought to the notice of the judge that he had also travelled to Germany.
"It is observed that vide order dated September 11, 2013 the applicant/accused Pratap Kishan Aggarwal was permitted to travel to the above said countries. However, despite this order being communicated to the Immigration Authority, he was allowed to travel to Germany.
"For this serious lapse, notice be issued to the Joint Director, Immigration, and DCP, FRRO, for October 23, 2013 for explanation," the court said.
The observation was made when court was hearing arguments on Aggarwal's application seeking modification of September 11, 2013 order.
During the hearing, the CBI's investigating officer showed a copy of a letter sent to the Joint Director of Immigration for compliance of the September 11 order.
Former IAF chief S P Tyagi, his cousins Sanjeev alias Julie, Rajeev alias Docsa and Sandeep, European middlemen Carlo Gerosa, Christian Michel and Guido Haschke are among 13 individuals named in the CBI FIR as accused.
Chandigarh-based Aeromatrix Info Solutions Private limited and its CEO Praveen Bakshi are also accused in the case. Legal advisor and former board member of accused firm IDS Infotech -- Gautam Khaitan and Bakshi had allegedly routed bribe money to the Tyagis, CBI had alleged.
The CBI in its FIR has booked all the accused under the provisions of the IPC relating to cheating and criminal conspiracy and the Prevention of Corruption Act.
*Subscribe to Business Standard digital and get complimentary access to The New York Times

Smart Quarterly

₹900

3 Months

₹300/Month

SAVE 25%

Smart Essential

₹2,700

1 Year

₹225/Month

SAVE 46%
*Complimentary New York Times access for the 2nd year will be given after 12 months

Super Saver

₹3,900

2 Years

₹162/Month

Subscribe

Renews automatically, cancel anytime

Here’s what’s included in our digital subscription plans

Exclusive premium stories online

  • Over 30 premium stories daily, handpicked by our editors

Complimentary Access to The New York Times

  • News, Games, Cooking, Audio, Wirecutter & The Athletic

Business Standard Epaper

  • Digital replica of our daily newspaper — with options to read, save, and share

Curated Newsletters

  • Insights on markets, finance, politics, tech, and more delivered to your inbox

Market Analysis & Investment Insights

  • In-depth market analysis & insights with access to The Smart Investor

Archives

  • Repository of articles and publications dating back to 1997

Ad-free Reading

  • Uninterrupted reading experience with no advertisements

Seamless Access Across All Devices

  • Access Business Standard across devices — mobile, tablet, or PC, via web or app

More From This Section

First Published: Oct 10 2013 | 5:11 PM IST

Next Story