Have no links with AgustaWestland, Haschke is lying: Sanjeev Tyagi

New Delhi: Former Air chief marshal SP Tyagi's cousin Sanjeev Tyagi on Saturday rubbished allegations of his involvement in the tainted AgustaWestland chopper deal in an exclusive interview to CNN-IBN. Speaking to Rajdeep Sardesai, Sanjeev, mentioned in the Italian probe reports as 'Julie' Tyagi, said that the allegations against him and his cousin SP Tyagi were baseless and had maligned the image of their families.

"I have no links with AgustaWestland. I am not aware of any deal. I did not receive any payment. (Guido Ralph) Haschke is lying. Finmeccanica is trying to cover up its own bungling. The charges are baseless. It is very easy to tarnish someone's reputation, but can the media pay it back?" he said.

Sanjeev revealed that he had met Haschke in 2001 in connection with a power sector deal and that he had known Carlo Gerosa, another middleman in the chopper deal, since 1995 through a deal related to the infrastructure sector. He also said that he had met Haschke through Gerosa.

"Haschke sold AgustaWestland a story based on my relationship with (cousin) SP Tyagi. We have strained ties. He (Haschke) used my name to siphon off money. The CBI probe will bring out the truth. I welcome the CBI probe," he said.

"Everyone has fallen for one man's lie. I am painfully surprised the way my family's name is being maligned. I have never ever spoken to my cousin SP Tyagi regarding any deal. We had strained ties. From 1999 to 2006, we shared a strained relationship. Perhaps, he (SP Tyagi) met Gerosa at the wedding of my niece. I have not received any payment in cash or in any other form," Sanjeev added.

He also said that he had no dealing with lawyer Gautam Khaitan, a former director at Aeromatrix, and that it was former National Security Advisor Brajesh Mishra who had changed the altitude norms of the helicopters.