The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday conducted searches at 14 locations in Delhi, Gurugram and Surat in connection with the ₹2,895.63-crore
The case involves middleman Sanjay Bhandari, who is under investigation by multiple agencies for his suspected role in several defence deals, government contracts and tax evasion. He is currently said to be in the United Kingdom.
Also read:
The ED probe is based on a case registered last year by the Central Bureau of Investigation in June 2019. It was alleged that to secure a deal for the supply of 75 basic trainer aircraft, Switzerland-based Pilatus Aircraft Limited paid about ₹350 crore in commission.
The payments were made in two tranches to Mr. Bhandari's firm in India from August to October 2010 and to Dubai-based company during 2011-2015.
Among those named were Pilatus Aircraft, unknown officials of the Indian Air Force and the Defence Ministry, Mr. Bhandari as director of Offset India Solutions Private Limited, and its another director Bimal Sareen. Deepak Agarwal, Himanshu Verma, Offset India Solutions and Dubai-based Offset India Solutions FZC were also arraigned.
The Air Force had issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) on December 16, 2009, to procure the trainer aircraft. As alleged, Pilatus Aircraft conspired with Mr. Bhandari and others to get the supply order. It signed a service provider agreement with him in June 2010 in violation of the defence procurement procedure.
Pilatus Aircraft, which did not disclose to the Defence Ministry that it had entered into any such agreement, had bagged the deal in May 2012.
You have reached your limit for free articles this month.
To get full access, please subscribe.
Already have an account ? Sign in
Show Less Plan
Subscription Benefits Include
Today's Paper
Find mobile-friendly version of articles from the day's newspaper in one easy-to-read list.
Faster pages
Move smoothly between articles as our pages load instantly.
Unlimited Access
Enjoy reading as many articles as you wish without any limitations.
Dashboard
A one-stop-shop for seeing the latest updates, and managing your preferences.
Personalised recommendations
A select list of articles that match your interests and tastes.
Briefing
We brief you on the latest and most important developments, three times a day.
*Our Digital Subscription plans do not currently include the e-paper ,crossword, iPhone, iPad mobile applications and print. Our plans enhance your reading experience.
A letter from the Editor
Dear subscriber,
Thank you!
Your support for our journalism is invaluable. It’s a support for truth and fairness in journalism. It has helped us keep apace with events and happenings.
The Hindu has always stood for journalism that is in the public interest. At this difficult time, it becomes even more important that we have access to information that has a bearing on our health and well-being, our lives, and livelihoods. As a subscriber, you are not only a beneficiary of our work but also its enabler.
We also reiterate here the promise that our team of reporters, copy editors, fact-checkers, designers, and photographers will deliver quality journalism that stays away from vested interest and political propaganda.
Suresh Nambath
