New Delhi: Two days after receiving a complaint from the ministry of defence (MoD) in the AgustaWestland deal case, the CBI registered its own ‘complaint’ on Friday, but the agency seems to be going slow on the matter. It is losing crucial time by questioning people and thereby giving the suspects enough time to destroy evidence.
The agency is yet to register the Preliminary Enquiry (PE), which is the first step after it receives a complaint from a ministry, court or higher authorities, in the scam. So far, it has given a flimsy excuse that it has not received all the reports and MoD’s complaint is not enough for filing a PE, but sources say that PE is usually registered on first information and then investigations follows.
On Friday, the CBI announced that it would send a team to Italy for further investigation. Agency sources on Friday said they have registered a complaint to ascertain allegations of corruption against Indian nationals and whether any kickbacks were paid. However, sources say without PE or a regular case, they cannot question people.
A MoD team has also handed over some documents to the CBI. As per the norm, once a complaint is received from a ministry, CBI officers decide whether it contains specific allegations involving corruption or serious misconduct against government officials etc, which fall within the agency’s ambit.
After a complaint is registered, the CBI decides whether to file a PE, in case further ground work is required, and subsequently register a case or file an FIR directly.
The CBI team had on Thursday asked the officials to provide its files related to any sort of internal inquiry undertaken by it in connection with alleged graft in acquiring 12 AW-101 helicopters from Italian firm AgustaWestland for IAF’s elite Communication Squadron, which ferries the President, PM and other VVIPs, officials said.
In February 2010, India had inked the Rs 3,600 crore deal to acquire 12 three-engine AW-101 helicopters from the Italian company for the services of VVIPs, including President and PM.
On Monday, Italian agencies had arrested Giuseppe Orsi, the CEO of AgustaWestland, the subsidiary of Italian firm Finmeccanica, for alleged bribes given to Indian middlemen to clinch the deal.
The MoD had said that the government is determined to take all possible legal and administrative action against the guilty parties and a0ccordingly has ordered a probe by the CBI.
COURTESY:
Neeraj Chauhan TNN
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