Former Air Chief SP Tyagi’s cousin Sanjeev Tyagi told the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Friday that he had “financial dealings” with the two Italian middlemen involved in the ₹3,600-crore VVIP chopper scam.
Sanjeev Tyagi, also known as Julie, has even admitted to having property links with SP Tyagi, according to CBI sources.
“He was, however, evasive on the details. We are trying to find out more. He has been summoned again on Saturday,” a senior CBI official said.
The CBI had summoned three cousins of SP Tyagi and lawyer Gautam Khaitan, all of whom are named as prime accused in the case, on Friday.
Khaitan too admitted to having financial transactions with the two Italian middlemen — Carlo Gerosa and Guido Haschkhe. However, he appeared to be “concealing information” on the alleged money trail between his firms and AgustaWestland, when he was interrogated on Friday.
He too was asked by the CBI to appear before it on Saturday.
The CBI has also been trying to get hold of another middleman involved in the deal — Christian Michel James — a British national. A request for provision arrest for the purpose of extradition was made to the UK authorities on January 4 by the investigation agency.
But according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the British High Commission is yet to respond.
In the meantime, the Supreme Court has sought information from the Centre and CBI on the issue. Defence Minister Manohar Parrikar also said he is “monitoring” the progress in CBI’s findings in the case.