CBI scrutinising statement of M K Narayanan in AgustaWestland deal

NEW DELHI: CBI is scrutinising the statement given by M K Narayanan, who yesterday resigned as West Bengal Governor, in AgustaWestland Helicopter case and no decision has been taken on whether to include him as a witness.

CBI sources said statement of Narayanan, former National Security Adviser, is still in scrutiny stage and no conclusive view has been taken whether to include him as witness in the charge sheet or as an accused.

The sources said Narayanan's statement is being examined in the light of claims made by then Indian Air Force Chief S P Tyagi, an accused in the FIR, that specifications were recommended to be changed by the committee comprising then NSA Narayanan and then SPG Chief B V Wanchoo.

"Unless recommendation by Narayanan and Wanchoo resulted from some malafide intention, they cannot be categorised as accused in the case. So far there is nothing against them and we are treating them as witnesses," a CBI official said.

80-year-old Narayanan recorded his statement before CBI and answered questions relating to March 1, 2005 meeting in which a decision was taken to reduce "service ceiling" (or the altitude at which a helicopter can fly) from 6000 metres to 4500 metres.

This was for the first time that a serving Governor was been questioned by CBI.

During the questioning spread well over two hours, Narayanan explained the rationale behind the decision and also cited that his predecessor in the previous NDA government Brajesh Mishra had decided to lower the service ceiling in December 2003.