Prashant Bhushan, Yogendra Yadav make fresh AgustaWestland expose, drag Raman Singh's name

New Delhi: Noted lawyer and Swaraj Abhiyan leader Prashant Bhushan and his colleague Yogendra Yadav on Thursday made fresh revelations on the AgustaWestland scam in which senior Congress leaders like Sonia Gandhi and others allged to be involved.

Addressing a joint press conference, Bhushan dragged Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Raman Singh's name in the multi-crore VVIP bribery scam case. The duo claimed irregularities in the Chhattisgarh A-109 chopper deal and linked Raman Singh's son Abhishek to the Panama Papers leak.

Daring the BJP to initiate a probe against Raman Singh, the duo said global tender was not called for the deal and the tender rules were seriously bypassed.

They also claimed that USD 1.5 million was paid as kickback. They told reporters that all documents related to their claims on the AugustaWestland deal has been made available on Swaraj Abhiyan website. 

 

 

Here are the highlights of their press briefing:-

A virtual single vendor situation was created in Agusta deal.

Sharing details of a deal where only one product was promoted. A compensation of 30% was given.

The deal was executed to intentionally provide illegal benefits.

A-109 chopper could be made available at $6.22 million, Chhattisgarh government told AgustaWestland.

AgustaWestland said our dealer Sharp Ocean (located in the British Virgin Isles), can supply the choppers early without any extra commission.

No efforts were made to find out about other firms that make and supply choppers.

Government proposed only AgustaWestland choppers to be preferred.

Cabinet decided in February 2007 that choppers may be bought from Sharp Ocean provided if $200,000 premium can be negotiated.

On March 30, a government note said choppers should be bought from Sharp Ocean.

Chhattisgarh government later said it will invite a global tender and on May 30, the government issued a global tender.

Three offers were made on this tender, interestingly out of these 3 firms, AgustaWestland offered Rs. 29.77cr.

Chhattisgarh govt bought one Agusta helicopter for USD 5 million and paid USD 1.57 million as commission.

CM Raman Singh’s son Abhishek Singh allegedly having investments offshore.

CAG had mentioned in its report that in the VVIP chopper deal, Chhattisgarh government made payments of Rs 64 lakh to the company.