The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which received documents pertaining to the Finmeccanica defence bribery case yesterday, is set to register apreliminary enquiry into the case by tomorrow.
The agency has formed a team of 10- 15 members under its anti- corruption wing to look into this case. It might also send some officers to Italy to probe Finmeccanica’s dealings with India.
CBI will also send letters rogatory to Italy to seek information about the firm and other suspects in the bribery case, including consultant Guido Ralph Haschke, who is believed to have acted as a middleman for dubious transactions.
Italian investigators are probing allegations that AgustaWestland, a subsidiary of Finmeccanica, paid a commission of € 51 million (? 350 crore) to Switzerland- based consultant Haschke to facilitate the deal in India.
Among the documents received by CBI are court reports from Italy, clippings of news reports from the national and international media. Finding the clippings insufficient for probe, CBI today asked the defence ministry to furnish all documents, including its internal investigation.
The preliminary enquiry can last up to three months, following which, based on the findings, the investigative agency would register a first information report ( FIR).
The Italian Police had arrested Finmeccanica CEO Giuseppe Orsi over corruption and embezzlement in relation with the alleged bribes paid in India. The Indian Air Force had signed a€ 560- million (? 2,800crore) deal for delivery of 12 high- security AgustaWestland choppers for use by the country’s top political leaders. The deal was closed in February 2010.
The external affairs ministry had also sought details of investigation from the Italian government but was told no information could be shared at that stage as it was a judicial process.
Since information available with the aCBI enquiry is details and lead to an information exchange with its Italian counterparts.
Some Indian names, including Air Chief Marshal S P Tyagi’s, have also surfaced in the preliminary enquiry report filed by Italian investigators.
Following Orsi’s arrest, India put on hold the remaining payment of ? 2,400 crore, besides the delivery of nine choppers from the firm, until the CBI investigation reached closure.
> Preliminary enquiry to be registered by CBI
> CBI to request for more documents and details from defence ministry
> Will send letter rogatory to Italian authorities
COURTESY:
RUCHIKA CHITRAVANSHI
New Delhi, 14 February
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