Probe focus on those named

Vibha Sharma

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, May 4

Stating that the CBI had already done considerable investigation in the AgustaWestland chopper scam, Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar today said the inquiry would now focus on the roles of those named by an Italian court in its ruling. 

In an all-out offensive against the Congress leadership, Parrikar told the Rajya Sabha that there was an agreement that “corrupt practices were involved” in the procurement of VVIP helicopters and the Italian court judgment unequivocally accepted this. The Minister, replying to a debate in the House on the chopper controversy, did not name anybody. 

Former Defence Minister AK Antony and Congress leader Ahmed Patel, political secretary to Congress president Sonia Gandhi, sought a thorough probe to trace all those who had received kickbacks. “It is proved beyond doubt that there is corruption in the deal. If you have evidence, take action, but do not threaten,” Antony said, reiterating  the demand by other political parties, including the SP, the JD-U, the Left and the BSP, for action against the company and an  SC-monitored probe, a demand that was rejected.  

Parrikar said the CBI was on the money trail. “The government will leave no stone unturned to bring to justice those who have committed these corrupt acts against national interest,” he said.  

“It is evident that trials were not conducted because chopper was at the development stage. Hence, the main action required is to trace and unmask the means of these corrupt practices,” he said. 

Patel's name has been dragged because initials “AP” were found on  documents recovered during the probe by the Italian authorities.  

"The inquiry will focus on the roles of those named in the judgment of Italian court... Where has the money (kickbacks) gone? It appears an invisible hand was guiding the action or inaction of the CBI and the ED" Manohar Parrikar, Defence minister

"I will quit the Rajya Sabha and retire from public life if any allegation is proved. The propaganda against me, my party and leaders is baseless" Ahmed Patel, Political secretary to Congress president