TNN file photo of former Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major (retired) with former Presid... Read More

NEW DELHI: Taking forward its probe in the Rs 3,727 crore VVIP chopper scam , CBI has examined former Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major (retired), who had succeeded SP Tyagi, one of the accused in the scam.

Sources told TOI that Anglo-Italian company AgustaWestland remained in the fray for supply of 12 VVIP choppers even after Tyagi retired as the IAF chief in March, 2007. Field evaluation trial (FET) for Sikorsky S-92 helicopter was carried out on two versions of the original helicopter, while AgustaWestland's AW-101 was not used for trial as it was still in the development stage.

Subsequently, CBI probe revealed that the trial on the helicopters of both the companies were supposed to be carried out in India itself. However, it was allowed on a foreign location specified by the companies.

In its chargesheet filed last year, CBI had stated that FET's specifications were approved by Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major in November, 2007.

Interestingly, trial for AgustaWestland AW-101, which was in the development stage, was conducted on a Merlin MK-3A helicopter and another provided by the company, called Civ-01. AgustaWestland was, in fact, allowed by the trial team to use simulation data from laboratory tests, a mock-up and claims of future technologies under development to meet the service qualitative requirements (SQRs), it said.

On the other hand, Sikorsky provided two versions of the helicopter model proposed for sale, as per the requirement of the government that out of 12 helicopters, eight were for VIP and four in non-VIP category.

The CBI probe has found that AgustaWestland's helicopter was declared partially compliant even after being heavier by 490 kg than the specifications as compared to Sikorsky's 177 kg.

Sources said Air Chief Marshal Major's examination took place few weeks back and he was asked why such FET specifications were allowed and trials were not conducted in India, apart from some related queries.

TOI tried to contact the former air chief but calls and SMS messages didn't elicit any response.

Apart from him, several other officials of IAF and the defence ministry are learnt to have been questioned by CBI in the last two months.

