India's system failed me, but Air Force stood behind me like a rock: SP Tyagi

SP Tyagi, former Indian Air Force chief, who has been implicated in the alleged corruption in the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper deal, told CNN IBN that the Indian system has failed him. His comments followed a Milan court’s ruling which said that there was no proof to suggest that kickbacks were paid to the Indian side during the deal. The former Finmeccanica CEO Giuseppe Orsi and former AgustaWestland head Bruno Spagnolini too were cleared of corruption charges by the court, though they were convicted in a tax evasion case.

In an exclusive interview to CNN IBN, Tyagi said that though there was nothing wrong in ordering an inquiry into any issue in a democracy, the real people responsible in the alleged ‘scam’ should come out and own up to the decisions taken.

“We are a democracy. We have a huge system. There is nothing wrong in ordering an inquiry. But I also believe that the people responsible should come out and say that they took the decisions. In that sense, I was let down. The Indian Air Force was let down,” Tyagi said.

Asked if he felt relieved following the Italian court’s verdict, Tyagi said, “I’d be lying if I said there is no sense of relief. However, it’s a limited relief. Because I knew this had to happen. I know the truth. The entire Air Force knows the truth.”

Answering to another question, Tyagi said, “I am not an expert on law. But from what I read in the papers, I understand that all this started because someone did something in Italy. But I don’t care about the Italian court’s decision. There is an Indian system and they should come to a conclusion. I believe they should come to the same conclusion.”

“This has been the most difficult phase of my life. I have fought two wars in life… easy. But this is very demanding on the family, friends and most importantly, on the Indian Air Force. I wore that uniform for 44 years, I know no life outside the Air Force,” he said, adding, “I am so proud, so proud that I joined this organisation (the Indian Air Force).”

“The Indian Air Force stood like a rock behind me,” said Tyagi.

“There were two governments involved. Two PMOs, MODs, ministers involved. Some of the stuff I read suggested that the Indian Air Force can tweak the system - an individual can tweak the system. This is not true,” said Tyagi.

The CBI and the Enforcement Directorate have continued with their probe, irrespective of the Milan courts decision.

When reported Anubha Bhonsle pointed out that the procurement which is under spanner involved decision-making at several levels and only Tyagi was singled out in the case, the former Air Force chief said, “It hurt.”

“This system has enough checks and balances to make sure that an individual to tweak it. By the time a decision reaches a chief of the Indian Air Force, it has passed through various rounds of decision making involving various people,” he said.