Chopper scam: HC notice to Sanjeev Tyagi on CBI's plea

New Delhi: The Delhi High Court today issued notice to former IAF chief S P Tyagi's cousin Sanjeev Tyagi on CBI's plea challenging the bail granted to him in the AgustaWestland chopper scam case.

Justice IS Mehta fixed the petition for further hearing on January 18, when it is scheduled to hear plea against SP Tyagi, who was granted bail by the trial court on December 26, 2016.

The court fixed the plea for January 18 after CBI's standing counsel Sanjeev Bhandari told the court that similar arguments were made during hearing of the plea against ex-IAF chief.

He further submitted that there is urgency, so the court should fix the matter for same date.

The agency has approached the high court against the trial court's January 4 order, by which bail was granted to Sanjeev Tyagi and lawyer Gautam Khaitan in the scam, saying that no purpose would be served by keeping them in custody.

As of Tuesday CBI has moved high court only against Tyagi's, on the ground that they could allegedly "hamper" the probe.

The CBI has alleged that Sanjeev Tyagi could "hamper" its probe and "alert" other accused if he remained out of custody.

71-year old SP Tyagi, who was arrested by CBI on December 9, 2016 along with Sanjeev Tyagi and lawyer Gautam Khaitan in the case relating to alleged irregularities in procurement of 12 VVIP choppers from UK-based AgustaWestland during the UPA-2 regime, was granted bail by a trial court on December 26, 2016.

During the earlier hearing, the agency had claimed in the high court that if SP Tyagi remained out on bail, he could "alert other potential accused".

The agency had also said that its probe was "multi-layered" as it was spread across several countries since various companies were allegedly used to "camouflage the bribe money".

A trial court had granted bail to SP Tyagi, who had retired as IAF chief in 2007, saying CBI has failed to state the alleged bribe amount and when it was paid.The trial court had also said that no purpose would be served by keeping the three accused behind the bars.

All the accused have denied the allegations levelled against them by CBI.