Chargesheets filed in 13 defence deal cases since 2004

The Central Bureau of Investigation on Wednesday said it has registered 18 cases related to defence deals since 2004 out of which chargesheets have been filed in 13 while only two cases have been closed.

"Since 2004, CBI has registered 18 cases related to defence deals, against various public servants including some senior defence personnel. Out of these, charge sheets have been filed by the bureau in 13 cases. Two cases have been closed as allegations were not substantiated," CBI spokesperson Dharini Mishra said in a statement.

Majority of cases in which charge sheets have been filed related to expose by Tehelka magazine.

She said a number of firms and companies involved have been black-listed on the recommendations of the CBI.

"The remaining three cases are pending for non-execution of Letters Rogatory by other countries," she said.

Its Letter Rogatory sent to South Africa in 2005 in connection with the deal of anti-material guns involving Dennel unnamed defence personnel is still pending.

Besides, LR requests sent to Israel and the UK in connection with Barack Missile system deal in 2006 is also unanswered. The case has former Defence Minister George Fernandes, Jaya Jaitly, former Samata party treasurer R K Jain, arms dealer Suresh Nanda and Israeli company Israeli Aircraft Industries (IAI) as accused.

Agency's judicial requests sent in connection with the armoured recovery vehicle deal have been received from UK and are scrutinised. The case also has Jain and Nanda as accused.

The agency has closed cases in procurement of Guided Munition from Russian firm Krasnopol and upgunning project of 130 mm guns to 155 mm calibre ones.