VVIP chopper scam: CBI looks to start trial against former CAG & IAF officials

The Central Bureau of Investigation has told a special CBI Court that the non-receipt of government sanction to prosecute four former Indian Air Force officials cannot bar the court from taking cognisance of the charge sheet against them.

The agency earlier this month filed a supplementary charge sheet against the four along with former defence secretary Shashi Kant Sharma for alleged irregularities in a Rs 3,600-crore deal to buy AgustaWestland VVIP helicopters in 2010.

While CBI has received sanction to prosecute Sharma, it is yet to receive sanction to prosecute the former IAF officials, people familiar with the development told ET.


The agency contended before the special court that non-receipt of prosecution sanction from the government cannot be a ground for not taking cognisance of the charge sheet against the former officials.

It informed the court that it will shortly move an application seeking to start trial on the scandal.

The special court on Monday reserved its order after hearing the arguments.

The agency argued that the 2018 amendment to Prevention of Corruption Act, which made it mandatory to take prior sanctions to prosecute retired public servants, was not applicable in this case because the court had already taken cognisance of CBI's first charge sheet filed in 2017.

The agency said the sanction to prosecute against Sharma and others was sought from the government as a matter of "abundant caution".

In a related development, CBI also urged the special court to complete the proceedings under Section 207 of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) under which the accused are allowed copies of statements and evidence produced by the prosecution.