Andhra Pradesh Governor faces CBI heat for Two hours over Agusta scam

Hyderabad: A CBI team from New Delhi led by Deputy Inspector General of Police Sanjay Kumar Singh questioned Gover-nor E.S.L. Narasimhan regarding the Agusta-Westland helicopter deal for two hours on Wednesday.

CBI sources said that the Governor’s statement was recorded as a witness under Section 161 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

A CBI source said, “Recording of the statement went on well. It was completed in two hours.” The investigating officers in the case also attended the questioning at Raj Bhavan. CBI officials of Hyderabad provided logistic support. Mr Narasimhan informed the investigators about the crucial meeting in 2005. He reportedly confirmed that he was one among the 10 members in the meeting in the capacity as the Intelligence Bureau chief, but his role in decision-making was negligible.

During the meeting on March 1, 2005, a decision was allegedly taken on changing technical specifications pertaining to the flying height of helicopters for acquiring 12 helicopters, allegedly to facilitate AgustaWestland to qualify for the bids.

The case pertains to the Rs 3726-crore deal of purchasing helicopters from AgustaWestland for flying VVIPs in the country. Mr Narasimhan is the third governor to be questioned by the CBI in the case. Former Goa Governor, Mr B.V. Wanchoo, and former West Bengal Governor, Mr M.K. Narayanan, were also questioned.

It has been alleged that the accused in the case were paid Rs 360 crore to favour AgustaWestland.