Five Charges Against Ex-IAF Chief SP Tyagi And What he Said

Former Air Force Chief SP Tyagi, a fighter pilot and a veteran of the 1965 and 1971 wars, headed three crucial commands of the Indian Air Force before becoming the Chief of Air Staff.

Here are the charges levelled against him in the AugustaWestland caseCHARGE - 1: Reduced flying ceiling of the helicopter from 6,000m to 4,500m (15,000ft) so that AgustaWestland was included in the bids.Tyagi’s stand: The decision to reduce the ceiling was taken by a group of senior officials. “During my taking over as Air Force chief in 2004 and retirement in 2007, no changes were made against me.”Also Read: AgustaWestland Case: Former Air Force Chief SP Tyagi Arrested by CBICHARGE - 2: Received bribe by Finmeccanica when he was IAF chief to swing the chopper deal in favour of the company.Tyagi’s stand: "There should be an inquiry so that all the facts come out. I am not only ready for an inquiry but I want an inquiry.”CHARGE - 3: Tyagi met several AgustaWestland officials in the presence of his cousins when he was IAF chief.Tyagi’s stand: Tyagi reportedly told CBI interrogators that he had met Finmeccanica COO, Georgio Zapa, in Delhi on February 15, 2005.Also Read: AgustaWestland: Never Met SP Tyagi, Says Middleman Christian MichelCHARGE–4: Tyagi was aware of the change in specifications of the helicopter and passed on that knowledge through his middlemen to AW officials.Tyagi’s stand: “These allegations are totally baseless and I am denying them categorically.”CHARGE-5: Tyagi’s relatives were involved in the dealTyagi’s stand: “The fact is they are related to me. But there are no business links (as alleged) with them....We were really not in touch when I was in service.”