NEW DELHI: Tightening its noose around Sanjay Bhandari, CBI has booked the controversial arms dealer for alleged corruption in the UPAera Rs 2895 crore deal for 75 Pilatus basic trainer aircraft for Indian Air Force . CBI also carried out searches at several locations, including his office and residence, on Saturday.

Apart from Bhandari, the agency has also named unidentified officials of the Indian Air Force, defence ministry and Switzerland-based Pilatus Aircraft Limited in its FIR, sources said. The Swiss company was one of the bidders for the contract floated in 2009. The action follows the findings of a three-year-old inquiry by CBI which showed a prima facie case of corruption against the accused.

After the FIR, CBI sleuths raided nine place in Delhi, Noida and Ghaziabad over the last two days and seized electronic devices. Bhandari, who allegedly had business dealings with Robert Vadra , is also under probe by Delhi Police in a case of leak of unauthorised documents . Agencies believe he is hiding in London and the process for his extradition is likely to begin soon.

CBI has alleged that the Swiss firm had entered into a criminal conspiracy with Bhandari and Bimal Sareen, both directors of Offset India Solutions Private Limited, and fraudulently signed a Service Provider Agreement with Bhandari in 2010, which was in violation of the Defence Procurement Procedure, 2008. It was allegedly done to get the contract for supply of 75 basic trainer aircraft to the Indian Air Force.

