Former Indian Air Force chief SP Tyagi and two others were arrested by the CBI on Friday in the Rs 3600-crore AgustaWestland helicopters deal case.

A court here on Saturday sent former Indian Air Force Chief SP Tyagi and others to custody of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) till December 14 in the Rs 3,767-crore AgustaWestland helicopter deal case. Tyagi blamed former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's office for tweaking the deal in favour of AgustaWestland.

In the court, the former Air Force Chief claimed that the prime minister's office under Manmohan Singh had suggested the changes in the height of the ceiling of the VVIP choppers.

Metropolitan Magistrate Sujit Saurabh allowed the CBI to quiz Tyagi, his cousin Sanjeev Tyagi alias Julie Tyagi and a Delhi-based lawyer, Gautam Khaitan till December 14.

The first chief of any wing of the armed forces to be arrested in the country, the former IAF chief and the others were allegedly involved in irregularities in the procurement of 12 AW-101 VVIP helicopters from Britain-based AgustaWestland.

Former Indian Air Force Chief SP Tyagi was produced at the Patiala House court today. The CBI had demanded a ten-day remand of the former Air Force chief, his cousin Sanjeev alias Julie Tyagi, and Delhi-based lawyer Gautam Khaitan for detailed questioning.

SP Tyagi was questioned by the CBI on Friday for four hours and was later arrested, along with his cousin Sanjeev alias Julie Tyagi, and Delhi-based lawyer Gautam Khaitan.

These were the first arrests in the VVIP chopper deal.

HERE ARE THE LATEST UPDATES:

Former Air Force Chief SP Tyagi and other accused sent to CBI remand till December 14 by Delhi Court.

Former Air Force Chief SP Tyagi and other accused sent to CBI remand till Dec 14 by Delhi Court in #AgustaWestland case pic.twitter.com/H1lREwig4E December 10, 2016 IAF and armed forces will continue to serve the nation to the best of its abilities; If anything is wrong, we correct it very quickly- IAF Chief Arup Raha.

Very unfortunate episode; incident obviously acts adversely on reputation of a very professional force: Arup Raha.

Court allows 4 days police custody of SP Tyagi, Sanjeev Tyagi and Gautam Khetan.

It is a due process of law, whatever comes out after inquiry we will accept that: Arup Raha.

Its a due process of law, whatever comes out after inquiry we will accept that:Air Force Chief Arup Raha #AgustaWestland pic.twitter.com/1IP5bgSzkR ANI (@ANI_news) December 10, 2016 CBI is seeking 10 days police remand of all accused in Agusta case.

CBI already have all the evidences against alleged crime. What documents they have to prove that money was paid? What is the logic behind asking remand?- Tyagi's lawyer to court.

I had earned money from agricultural land. I can give proves. There was no need of arrest: Tyagi to court.

Can account for my agricultural land purchase.In this nation, if you're arrested, you're arrested. You're on TV channels: SP Tyagi in court

I am not a lawyer. I don't understand why arrest there is an arrest, asks SP Tyagi

After meeting with PMO, changes were made and committee decided to change the conditions: Tyagi

Procurement of chopper deal was a collective decision: SP Tyagi's counsel in court.

Choppers were meant for VVIPs. PMO suggested change of service ceiling (6000 metres). How many times have VVIPs visited Siachen, asks SP Tyagi's counsel.

There should a specific purpose on completion of inquiry, SP Tyagi has always cooperated: SP Tyagi's counsel in court.

Agusta was engaging middlemen regularly, bribes were paid, investigation is going on: CBI in court.

We have received LR's from Mauritius and Italy. They have given us information. We need to interrogate these accused persons: Agusta case CBI lawyer

SP TYAGI, Sanjeev Tyagi and Gautam Khetan produced at Patiala house court. CBI had arrested them on Friday in VVIP chopper deal case.

CBI demands police custody of all the accused persons.

CBI lawyer says; this proposal was initiated by Air Force to buy new VVIP Chopper. In 2002 there were 11 global parties to appear in bid.

Finally only four parties fulfilling the criteria. Later, Agusta was found not for requirement due to flying height of copters.

In 2004, new central Govt formed and Air Force was denying to compromise on flying height of copters. Later, when SP Tyagi assumed the charge in Jan 1, 2005.

During this, Agusta was perusing for consideration again and again on the basis of different attributes of choppers.

Agusta was engaging middlemen regularly, bribes were paid, investigation is going on: CBI in court

CBI tells court that they are investigating the scam and needed more time.

CBI argued, "During SP Tyagi tenure, his family invested in agriculture land," saying that this aspect needed to be investigated as well.

Defence lawyer, arguing for SP Tyagi, said "We are unable to understand why CBI is seeking police remand. After FIR was registered these alleged accused are being questioned several times. There is no need of custodial interrogation."

CBI argued that a larger conspiracy was done in this chopper scam, and that needs to be investigated.

CBI said, "In 2004, new Central government was formed and the Air Force was denying to compromise on flying height of copters. Later, when SP Tyagi assumed the charge on January 1, 2005, Agusta was perused for consideration again and again on the basis of different attributes of choppers."

The CBI argued that in 2002, there were 11 global parties to appear in the bid. Finally, only four parties fulfilled the criteria. Later, Agusta was found not for requirement due to flying height of copters.

CBI said the proposal was initiated by Air Force to buy new VVIP Chopper.

CBI demands police custody of all the three accused.

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ON WHAT CHARGES THE CBI ARRESTED SP TYAGI AND OTHERS

The CBI on Friday said all the three have been arrested over allegations of accepting illegal gratification for exercising influence through corrupt and or illegal means.

"All the three accused have been arrested under Section 120B, Section 420 IPC and the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. They were called for questioning at the CBI headquarters," the agency said in a statement.

The CBI said its probe revealed that undue favours were shown to AgustaWestland Ltd, which accepted illegal vendors through middlemen including Sanjeev Tyagi, who is a relative of SP Tyagi.

As per the sources, SP Tyagi has been arrested on the charges of entering into criminal conspiracy to tailor the altitude requirements for VVIP choppers with an intention of qualifying AgustaWestland for the bid.

He allegedly conspired with his cousin brothers to alter the altitude from 6,000 to 4,500 meters. This happened when he was slated to become the next Air Chief.

WHAT IS AGUSTAWESTLAND CHOPPER CASE?

The AgustaWestland chopper deal scam refers to the Rs 360 crore allegedly paid as kickbacks by Finmeccanica, the parent firm of AgustaWestland, to clinch the deal for 12 VVIP helicopters for the Indian Air Force.

The payments were made in the "guise of" transactions for performing multiple work contracts in the country.

(With inputs from JV Shivendra Srivastava)

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