‘Middleman roped in before Tyagi elevation’

NEW DELHI: The Central Bureau Investigation (CBI)’s first charge sheet in the Agusta Westland VVIP chopper scam has alleged that before SP Tyagi — who has been charged in the scam — became the air force chief in 2004, his cousin Sanjeev, had contacted middleman Guido Haschke.

The government had decided at the time to roll out calls for proposals from various companies to buy 12 choppers for ferrying VVIPs and their security detail. As per the chargesheet, Sanjeev ‘Juile’ Tyagi, ‘proposed himself along with his own family to Haschke as a middleman’.

Sanjeev reportedly told Haschke that his cousin would soon become the Indian Air Force (IAF) chief, he should look for contacts either in the European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company( E ADS) that manufactures the Euro copter, or Fin me cc anica, the makers of A gusta-- Westland choppers, both of which were being considered as strong contenders. Haschke managed toge tin touch with Finmeccanica’s boss es,

Besides SP Tyagi, the CBI has formally charged his cousin Sanje ev T yagi, lawyer Ga uta m Kha itan, alleged middle men Christian Michel, Carlo Gerosa and Guido Haschke, former A gusta West land CEO Bruno Sp ag no li ni and former Fin me cc anica chairman Giuseppe Orsi in the case.

The initial operational requirements (ORs) for the project mandated the chopper should fly up to 6,000 meters, but the Agusta Westland chopper could go up only 4,500 meters.