Pilatus aircraft deal: CBI files case against IAF officials, Sanjay Bhandari for alleged corruption

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on Saturday conducted raids at controversial arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari’s residence and officer in connection with the alleged corruption in procurement of 75 Pilatus basic trainer aircraft in 2009.

The raids were carried out a day after the agency registered a case against unknown officials of Indian Air Force, Ministry of Defence and Bhandari for the alleged corruption in the Pilatus aircraft deal.

The CBI has also named Offset India Solutions Pvt Ltd, a company owned by the arms dealer at south Delhi's Panchsheel Park and Switzerland-based Pilatus Aircraft Ltd as accused in the case pertaining to the alleged irregularities and bribe of Rs 339 crore in the procurement of 75 Pilatus basic trainer aircraft during the UPA rule in 2009.

The issue was first raised when the Manmohan Singh government had signed a Rs. 2,896 crore deal for 75 BTA with Pilatus Aircraft in May 2012. Following the investigation, the CBI has allegedly found several irregularities, including bribery to IAF and Defence Ministry officials.

The Pilatus Aircraft Ltd are the planes used to train cadets how to fly an aircraft when they join the Air Force. The Air Force had decided to purchase the Pilatus PC-7 Mk-II after it stopped using the indigenous HTP-32 for training purpose due to technical issues.