By the way, this delay of over twelve months in ordering a probe might have given sufficient time to the bribe takers and bribe givers to obliterate the inconvenient part of documentary evidence. It will indeed protect those elements who border criminal acts and omissions in defence deals that may jeopardize security of our country. They should be shown no leniency and law of the land must be allowed to run its course smoothly. The impartial administrators must never forget that in our democracy it is rule of law and not of influential individuals. Let us recall the age-old saying, “Howsoever high one may ever be, the law is above you!”

DEFENCE DEAL DETAILS

The Rs. 3600 crore deal for the three-engined 12 helicopters was inked in 2010 and a part of big money had started changing hands soon thereafter. It is not yet clear who all took their pound of flesh but it is learnt from reliable sources that the recipients of slush money were decision makers. The very fact that the Raksha Mantralaya or any other wing of the Government of India was reticent in ordering a probe into the big scandal of officials and political masters lining their pockets goes to indicate that they are so influential that they could beat the investigator black and blue before eliminating him or her from this world.

It is well known in the defence bazar all over the world that its players dabble in big money and remain ready to clinch a deal or eliminate a rival at the drop of a hat. Therefore, the honest and simple officials do not cross their path and prefer to lie low until the coast is clear.

Why was the Government of India so slow in ordering an investigation into the helicopter defence deal? Well, the spokesman of the Videsh Mantralaya said in his regular press briefing that the Government of India wished to be sure of the basic facts and also if those facts were strong enough to form the base of launching prosecution proceedings before going public with the case. Now it knows that a prima facie case is made out and, therefore, the Raksha Mantri, AK Antony has ordered a CBI enquiry.

Of course, the other school of thought probing matters military believe that the government of India has something to hide. It needed is time to protect its protégé. Since that mission is accomplished, a CBI enquiry has been ordered by the Raksha Mantri on Tuesday, 12 Feb 2013. Indeed a hawk eye with a legal background would not ignore the fact that the Government of Italy has arrested CEO of the big company that had bribed the Indians connected with the purchase of the said helicopters. Obviously, an enquiry is under way in Rome too. How could New Delhi keep on slumbering even now?

As it is, the government of India had kept it under the wrap under the pretext of gathering authentic information from London and Rome as well as receiving their non-cooperative letters. Rome told New Delhi that since the case was sub-judice they would not be able to disclose anything relating the sale-purchase of the said helicopters.

It is now incumbent on the Government of India to go into depth of the bribery case and unmask the bigwigs who have taken bribes before facilitating inking of the big deal.