Former defence minister George Fernandes has been named an accused by the Central Bureau of investigation in a case related to the purchase of Barak missile system from Israel.

George had been forced to resign from the post in the wake of the Tehelka expose on March 15, 2001. He had then clarified that allegations of him favouring the Barak anti-missile defence systems for the Navy were false. The Israeli system was recommended by the Navy in 1996 and was approved by the government that year itself, he had said.

More details awaited.