Wednesday, May 4 2005 16:30 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: Government today (May 4, 2005) said that though members of Commissions of Inquiry were not entitled to use Indian Air Force (IAF) aircraft, Justice S N Phukan, probing the Tehelka expose on Defence deals, was provided with an Air Force aircraft and helicopters to visit defence establishments on approval by the then Defence Minister George Fernandes.

Phukan, then probing 14 major Defence deals including acquisition of Russian Main Battle Tank T90s, advanced jet trainers, Sukhoi-multi role combat aircraft and up gunning of 130mm guns, travelled on an IAF aircraft and helicopters to Pune, Ahmadnagar and Mumbai, Defence Minister Pranab Mukherjee told Lok Sabha in a suo motu statement.

Phukan, the Minister said, was accompanied on the visit, projected by the Commission for inspecting equipment relating to the past Defence deals, by his wife and eight officials.

Though the visit was slated as one to familiarise with the acquisition of weapon systems, which were being probed, Phukan and members of his team also visited the shrine in Shirdi on December 24 by road.