New Delhi, July 20: CBI wants to "close" the case relating to the multi-crore Airbus deal involving purchase of A-320 aircraft from France during 1984-89, probe into which has not so far yeilded evidence, to suggest abuse of official position by public servants including former civil aviation secretary S S Sidhu and payment of kickbacks. The agency, which registered the case in March 1990 following the crash of an A-320 aircraft at Bangalore, has now sought permission from a special court here to close it.
However, it wants to keep the probe open as it was still hopeful of a change in the stance of french authorities, who so far have refused to execute letters Rogatory sent to that country citing absence of any bilateral agreement with India.
Other accused in the case were former Indian Airlines MD Capt K Chadha, former director (planning) cum economic advisor to the MD, R Prasad, IA deputy MD B K Bhasin besides officials of the French Airbus industrie and international aero engines (IAE) of USA.
They allegedly had violated rules and twisted facts to obtain pecuniary advantage from Airbus industrie, IAE and their agents, in the purchase of the aircraft powered by IAE's V-2500 engines, thereby causing loss of Rs 500 crore to the public exchequer.
Further grounding the probe, the agency also failed to get any reply on the letters Rogatory sent to Bermuda and British Virgin islands seeking assistance. Bureau Report