Govt should fast-track probe into VVIP chopper scam: Former defence minister

New Delhi: Taking high moral ground on the issue of VVIP chopper scam, former Defence Minister A K Antony on Tuesday asked the NDA government to fast-track the probe and find the truth as the UPA had cancelled the contract and ordered a CBI investigation.

Antony also said the UPA government had successfully fought the case in a Milan court and had recovered the entire amount paid in advance to AgustaWestland, former employees of which were recently convicted by an Italian court in the corruption scandal.

"When the primary allegation came out in media, we immediately ordered a CBI inquiry. We cancelled the contract and fought the case in the Milan court. We won the case and got back all the money we paid in advance, by bank guarantee," he said soon after the BJP targeted Congress over the scam.

"Indian government has gained more (information) now. My request to the Indian government is that the probe has been going on for long and hence please speed up the inquiry and find the truth," he said.

BJP today used the conviction of Italian officials linked to the VVIP chopper scam to target Congress and asked Antony to name the party leaders allegedly involved in the scandal.

The party questioned who the bribe-takers were as the bribe-givers have been convicted.