CPI demands scapping of the VVIP chopper deal

NEW DELHI: CPI today demanded scrapping of the AgustaWestland chopper deal and setting up of a special investigation team ( SIT) to probe in a time-bound manner the allegation of kickbacks in the contract, saying inquiries by CBI or the armed forces would not instil confidence among the people.

In a letter to Defence Minister A K Antony, party General Secretary S Sudhakar Reddy said, "Any in-house inquiry of the army or CBI inquiry will not create confidence among the people, as the charges of corruption are on the highest officers of the army."

He said it was "necessary that a independent special investigation team should be appointed with respected, tested retired officers, who can impartially enquire into the case. It should be a time-bound inquiry like Verma Commission."

Reddy said the SIT should probe all the deals with this company for last two decades, apart from the present one.

"As it is proved beyond doubt about corruption in the deal...First cancel the agreement, send back the delivered choppers, get back the money at the earliest along with interest and seek penalty for cheating," the CPI leader told the government.