New Delhi: After recording statements of three Governors in connection with the alleged bungling in purchase of the VVIP helicopters, the focus of the CBI’s probe into the Rs 3,600 crore deal has shifted to meetings held in this connection in 2003, when the previous NDA regime was in power and it may go through the records of meetings held in November that year.
The CBI would be probing every aspect of the case to corroborate the statements made by former former Governors of West Bengal M.K. Narayanan and Goa B.V. Wanchoo respectively and Governor of Andhra Pradesh E.S.L. Narsimhan, who claimed that the decision to decrease the flying altitude was taken in principle in the year 2003.
The sources did not rule out the possibility of recoding statement of CBI’s own special director Anil Kumar Sinha, a 1979 batch IPS officer of Bihar cadre, as he was the then inspector general in the elite SPG, a force which guards the Prime Minister of the country.
After completing the formalities of examining Mr Narayanan, Mr Narsimhan and Mr Wanchoo, the CBI decided to see whether any such decision was taken in principle during the 2003 meetings.
During extensive recording of the statement, Mr Wanchoo, who resigned as the Goa Governor on July 4, informed the CBI about a meeting held by top officials of the Prime Minister’s Office in 2003, in which it was decided in principle for having a “realistic operational requirement” after consulting the elite protection group.
The CBI will also approach the Indian Air Force and former Air chief marshal Srinivasapuram Krishnaswamy on a letter from the then PMO asking for taking a realistic approach and ensure fair competition in purchasing of helicopters used for flying VVIPs including the President and the Prime Minister. The helicopters form a part of VVIP squadron maintained by the IAF.
