Click to play videoNew Delhi: The Barak missile defence system, bought from Israel during Former defence minister George Fernandes's tenure, now promises to deal a deadly body-blow — not to enemy missiles but to Fernandes himself.
The CBI will soon interrogate Fernandes, who was named in the FIR as an accused, for alleged corruption in the deal as the agency is on the verge of wrapping up it's investigation.
CBI has alleged that kickbacks amounting to Rs 2 crore were paid in the Rs 1,125 crore deal in the year 2000. The money was paid to Fernandes's close confidante and the then Samata Party President, Jaya Jaitley, who acted as an 'agent', to clinch the deal.
Former Naval chief Sushil Kumar, will also be interrogated. He is accused for having put up a note to Fernandes to import the Barak systems despite objections from the Defence Research Development Organisation and Former president APJ Abdul Kalam.
Kalam, then scientific advisor to the Defence Minister, wrote two letters advocating the development of the indigenous Trishul missile over the Barak but Fernandes not only approved the proposal from the former Navy chief, but also tried to get it approved by the Cabinet Committee on Security.
Fernandes is accused of trying to mislead the nation by claiming that the government had given the go-ahead after receiving clearance from former president Kalam
However, the timing of the interrogation of the Janata Dal (United) leader can be crucial. If it's done soon, it promises repercussions and Parliament can expect a stormy Budget Session.
(For updates you can share with your friends, follow IBNLive on Facebook, Twitter and Google+)
displayed with permission. Use of the CNN name and/or logo on or as part of CNN-IBN does not derogate from the intellectual property rights of Cable News Network in respect of them.