CBI managed only one conviction in 22 defence related probes

CBI has managed to get only one conviction in 22 defence deal related cases registered by it since 2004 as it struggles to get information about routing of money and activities of middlemen from foreign countries.
CBI sources said influential connections of middlemen in the countries of their operation and layered international transactions are making it difficult for the agency to get information from abroad which is adversely affecting its probes.
The sources said the agency has registered 22 cases related to defence matters since 2004 in which nine are related to Tehlka expose, 11 related to defence related purchases and two pertain to secret documents held by private people.

They said CBI could achieve conviction in only one case related to bribe received by the then BJP President Bangaru Laxman which was exposed by a sting operation carried out by Tehelka magazine.
In 14 cases, CBI has filed charge sheet while in six investigations are on.
The agency has closed two cases related to alleged irregularities in up-gunning of 130 mm field guns to 155 mm calibre by an Israeli firm Soltam and purchase of Terminally Guided Munition from a Russian firm Krasnapol, they said.
Both the cases were exposed through Tehelka sting operation and pertain to tenure of former Defence Minister George Fernandes.

The sources said country's international relations and trade ties are one of the reasons for poor execution of Letters Rogatory-- judicial request through which information is sought from a foreign country--and subsequent delay in probe here.