Defence Minister A K Antony on Wednesday said that nobody found guilty of bribery, will be spared, in the chopper deal with Italian firm Finmeccanica.

Speaking to reporters in New Delhi, the Defence Minister said, serious action that will be taken also include cancellation of the deal. Mr. Antony said, a CBI inquiry was ordered on Tuesday to investigate the helicopter deal.

Mr. Antony said, action will be taken after the CBI inquiry into the case. The Defence minister categorically stated that corruption in defence deals will not be tolerated.

Italian media reports said, the CEO of Italian defence firm, Finmeccanica, was arrested for allegedly offering bribes in India to procure the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper deal.

Reacting to the development, former IAF Chief, Air Chief Marshal S P Tyagi on Wednesday refuted allegations that he was paid bribes for procuring 12 choppers. He said, the allegations are totally baseless and the deal was signed in 2010 whereas he retired in 2007 itself.

AIR correspondent quoting official sources reports, the Central Bureau of Investigation has received the request for probe into the chopper deal from the Defence Ministry on Wednesday morning.

Reacting to this, External Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid has said, the government is in touch with Italy to get information on the 2010 chopper deal. Talking to reporters in New Delhi , Mr Khurshid said, the government will act as per the law and not to please the Opposition.

The opposition BJP today asked the government as to how long it will protect bribe-takers and said it will raise the issue strongly during the Budget Session of Parliament. Leader of opposition in the Rajya Sabha Arun Jaitley demanded that the helicopter deal should be reviewed and the supply of the remaining nine choppers be stopped till all doubts are cleared.

CPI(M) leader Sitaram Yechury also demanded that the contract for the Rs 3600 crore VVIP chopper deal be scrapped in the wake of bribery charges.