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VVIP copter deal put on hold
Italian prosecutors name IAF ex-Chief Tyagi, his cousins in kickback case
New Delhi, February 13
Defence Minister AK Antony today said the government would blacklist and take legal action against any recipient of bribe in the Rs 3,600-crore VVIP helicopter deal. In Italy, prosecutors submitted a warrant in a court alleging that former IAF Chief SP Tyagi and his three cousins were in cahoots to tweak the deal to suit Italian aerospace major Finmeccanica.

Editorial: One more scam

World page: Copter scam may cast shadow on UK PM’s visit

Charges totally false, claims Tyagi
Gurgaon, February 13
Former IAF chief Air Chief Marshal (retd) SP Tyagi has pleaded innocence in the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper kickback case, demanding a fair inquiry into the matter. Addressing mediapersons here today, Tyagi rubbished allegations of accepting bribe to “alter” the Rs 3,600-crore deal, which involved procuring 12 helicopters from Italian firm Finmeccanica.

Air Chief Marshal SP Tyagi (retd)

Facing arrest, Maldives ex-Prez takes refuge  in Indian embassy
New Delhi, February 13
New Delhi was in a fix today as former Maldives President Mohamed Nasheed sought refuge at the Indian High Commission in Male after a Maldivian court issued arrest warrants against him.
Former President of Maldives Mohamed Nasheed enters the Indian Embassy in Male on Wednesday. — AFP

BJP directs fire at PM, Antony
Cancel deal: CPM 
New Delhi, February 13
Bribery in defence deals has revisited the Congress with its top leadership coming under direct attack from the BJP following reports of Rs 350-crore kickbacks in the acquisition of 12 VVIP helicopters from an Italian firm. The party has sought accountability of the Prime Minister, the Defence Minister and the Congress president in the case. “Scam, scandal and corruption have become the defining feature of this government which keeps on appearing with alarming regularity.

Setback to food security Bill
Many states disagree on provisions of proposed legislation
New Delhi, February 13
UPA's efforts to introduce National Food Security Bill in the Budget session appears to be in for another bumpy ride as majority of states, including Tamil Nadu and Punjab, today opposed several provisions in the ambitious legislation, including identification of beneficiaries, and also objected to any financial burden on them.The Congress-led Centre had called the consultations to put final touches to the legislation on the back of which the UPA hopes to ride back to power in the next General Election. 

SEBI orders freezing of 2 Sahara firms’ accounts 
Mumbai, February 13
Taking stern actions against Sahara in the high-profile investor refund case involving over Rs 24,000 crore, market regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) today ordered freezing of bank accounts and attachment of all properties of two group firms and top executives, including Subrata Roy. SEBI's action follows directions from the Supreme Court, which had said last week that the market regulator was free to freeze accounts and attach properties if Sahara group firms were not depositing the money with it for refund to investors.