CBI to begin probe in alleged payment of Rs 362 crore Italian chopper deal

13 Feb 2013 Evaluate

In response to the complaint received from Defence Ministry, Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) will soon to begin its probe into the alleged payment of Rs 362 crore bribe in India by an Italian defence firm AgustaWestland to clear a Rs 3,546 crore helicopter deal for ferrying VVIPs.

The agencies arrested Giuseppe Orsi, the head of Italian defence and aerospace giant Finmeccanica on February 11 as part of their probe related to international corruption, alleging that Orsi, who was CEO of the company when the deal was struck, was involved in the bribery. Around 50 million euros (Rs 362 crore approximately), about 10% of the deal, were alleged to have been given as bribes to ensure that the company won the contract.

A call on whether to conduct a preliminary enquiry or register an FIR would be taken at a high-level meeting scheduled for Wednesday evening. After initiating probe, the agency would approach the Defence Ministry for providing all the material related to the purchase of helicopters to understand whether any specifications were modified to benefit the company.

Earlier in February 2010, India had inked the deal to acquire the 12 three-engine AW-101 helicopters from AgustaWestland for IAF's elite Communication Squadron, which ferries the President, PM and other VVIPs.

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