This Article is From Oct 10, 2014

The System Let Me Down: Ex-Air Chief Accused in VVIP Chopper Scandal

New Delhi: A court in Italy on Thursday ruled that no kickbacks were paid in a deal for 12 helicopters for use by top Indian political leaders. It also found that there is no evidence to suggest former Indian Air Force chief SP Tyagi had accepted bribes to help AgustaWestland - the British unit of Italian defence manufacturer Finmeccanica - land the contract.

In his first TV interview, the former Air Chief speaks to NDTV's Security & Strategic Affairs Editor, Nitin Gokhale, and says all the facts are known to the entire system, but the system let him down.

Following is an excerpt of the interview:

NDTV: What is you first reaction to the Italian Court verdict on Thursday.

Air Chief Marshal (retd), SP Tyagi:
First reaction is I am relieved. But I also know this is the first step. It is an Italian case. It is India which has to decide what the outcome will be. But the fact is, the Indian case was built on messages, information, evidence which were found in Italy. If media reports are to be believed, some 70,000 pages of evidence came to the country from Italy. The main case was built was on that evidence therefore, it is a relief.

NDTV: How did you cope with the situation when you first heard of reports naming you?

Air Chief Marshal (retd), SP Tyagi:
It is easy to fight a war. I fought two wars. It is easy to be in the battle. This is tough. Tough firstly on the individual, tough on the family, but the toughest part is on the service that you led. Can you imagine what the entire Indian Air Force went through? Officers and men saying look our chief is being accused for a crime that he did not commit... This trauma I will not wish on even my enemies.

NDTV: Is the Indian procurement system fair and transparent?

Air Chief Marshal (retd), SP Tyagi:
The process is the user must get involved. In this case Indian Air Force was not the user. Remember this is a VVIP helicopter. The user said I don't like that height, I don't want this cabin. Two PMOs, two MoDs, two Defence Secretaries were involved... It was a collegiate decision. Not an individual's decision.

NDTV: So why were you targeted?

Air Chief Marshal (retd), SP Tyagi: I don't know if I was targeted. May be it was circumstantial. Some goon, a crook, who is sitting somewhere in Italy said I got things done and people believed it.

NDTV: So did the system let you down?

Air Chief Marshal (retd), SP Tyagi: The system let me down. All the facts are known to the entire system. What stopped the system from saying we know the facts? Two NSAs were involved, two defence secretaries, several chiefs were involved. Why couldn't they say we know the entire process was fair, transparent and we should not believe what some crook in Italy is saying.

NDTV: Was politics behind this?

Air Chief Marshal (retd), SP Tyagi: I don't know if there was politics behind it. But I know that the political leadership did not support the armed forces. They did not give me the support that I expected from my system.

NDTV: What next?

Air Chief Marshal (retd), SP Tyagi: I am still an accused as far as the Indian system is concerned. If all our evidence says, all is well, let's stand up and say all is well but if I or my cousins have done wrong, hang me by all means.

NDTV: Do rival manufacturers play a major part in stalling procurements, acquisitions?

Air Chief Marshal (retd), SP Tyagi: Of course, rival manufacturers do play a part. The system should be professional enough to take its own view and not believe some anonymous vested interests.
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