Zeenews Bureau
New Delhi: Not satisfied with a CBI probe into the alleged corruption in the deal to buy 12 choppers for VVIPs, the BJP on Thursday demanded that the matter be probed under the supervision of the Supreme Court.
"The probe will be completed in a time-bound manner and will show results only if it is monitored by the Supreme Court. Else there will be a cover-up," BJP spokesperson Prakash Javadekar was quoted as saying.
Yesterday, Defence Minister AK Antony had pledged "strongest action" if it is proved that bribes swung the $750 million deal for 12 VVIP helicopters for the IAF, as the Opposition prepared to raise a storm in Parliament opening a week later.
Antony said the CBI had been asked to conduct an early inquiry after Italian authorities arrested the head of Finmeccanica company on corruption charges.
"I can assure you that the moment we get a report from CBI, we will take strongest action provided in the integrity pact," Antony said. This would include "cancellation of the contract and blacklisting the companies".
"We are examining everything. If (contractual) terms have been violated, we will take the strongest action. We are not bothered about who they are or how big they are," Antony added.
The contract for the helicopters was signed in February 2010. The IAF sought the choppers as a replacement for its Mi-17 cargo helicopters which had been modified for VVIP deployment.
First Published: Thursday, February 14, 2013, 12:20