CBI seeks nod to prosecute ex-CAG in chopper scam

NEW DELHI: The CBI is learnt to have sought prosecution sanction to initiate proceedings against Shashi Kant Sharma, former defence secretary who was later comptroller and auditor general, and four IAF officers in the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper scam.
Apart from Sharma, the agency has sought sanction to prosecute the then Air Vice Marshal Jasbir Singh Panesar, then deputy chief testing pilot SA Kunte, former wing commander Thomas Mathew and N Santosh, a former group captain. The sanction was reportedly sought in March-end and has been pending with the defence ministry, sources said.
Sharma was joint secretary (air) in the defence ministry in 2003-07 and had initiated the purchase of helicopters, sources said, adding that he was posted as director of acquisitions in the ministry when AgustaWestland had won the contract in 2010. He succeeded Vinod Rai as CAG when he was appointed to the post in May 2013. At the time, BJP had red-flagged Sharma’s appointment as CAG saying there could be conflict of interest as he would be auditing defence deals in which he had a role as defence secretary.
Explaining the need for prosecution sanction, officials said permission was required from the departments concerned to prosecute bureaucrats in the wake of amendments in the Prevention of Corruption Act.
If sanction is given, the agency will file a supplementary chargesheet in the case.