Ex-IAF chief sent to four-day CBI custody, blames then PMO

Former IAF chief SP Tyagi and the two other accused being sent to CBI remand after they were produced in a Delhi court. Pic/PTI

New Delhi: A Delhi court on Saturday sent former IAF chief SP Tyagi, arrested in the Rs 450 crore AgustaWestland bribery case in procurement of 12 VVIP helicopters, to police custody for four days after the CBI said he was needed to be qui­zzed to unearth a "very large conspiracy having international ramifications".

His cousin Sanjeev Tyagi alias Julie and advocate Gautam Khaitan, also accused in the procurement of VVIP choppers from the UK-based company during UPA-2 regime, were also sent to police custody till December 14.


Former IAFâu00c2u0080u00c2u0088chief SP Tyagi. Pic/AFP

Metropolitan Magistrate Sujit Saurabh sent them to CBI custody saying their custodial interrogation was required for a "fair probe" in the case. During the proceedings, CBI sought 10 days' custody, but, the counsel appearing for the accused, opposed the plea saying there was no fresh ground for the arrests now. Senior advocate N Hariharan, who appeared for the ex-IAF chief, claimed the decision to procure 12 VVIP choppers from AgustaWestland was a "collective" one and the Prime Minister Office was also a part of it.