COLDHEARTED AVIATOR
BANNED
- Joined
- Jul 28, 2010
- Messages
- 5,052
- Reaction score
- -6
- Country
- Location
Following the reports of a deal of helicopters meant for VIPs in India coming under the scanner in Italy, Defence Minister A.K. Antony on Wednesday assured that he would "pursue the query" and that there would be "no mischief".
"I will pursue this query. I have not read the report yet, but I assure you that there will be no mischief and the query will be pursued. We will take strongest actions," Antony told newsmen reacting to the reports.
Earlier, Italian newspapers reported that in its biggest ever probe into corruption in defence deal s, Italy has been investigating allegations that a helicopter manufacturer paid a commission of over Rs.350 crore to a Switzerland-based consultant to sell 12 choppers to India.
Reports said that investigators have raided the Swiss offices of the consultant, Ralph Haschke. The action came after a former top executive of the helicopter company revealed that he was hired to facilitate the Rs.3,546 crore deal with India.
According to reports, Italian investigators were focusing on escalation of €10 million, which was allegedly used by the officials of the helicopter company, AgustaWestland, to bribe Italian political parties.
Several documents regarding this agreement were reported to have been recovered by the investigators who raided the consultant's office.
The investigation can have larger ramifications for India if it is established that an agent was indeed hired by the company to facilitate the VIP helicopters contract. As per Indian laws, it is illegal for companies to hire agents for defence contracts.
AgustaWestland denies wrongdoing
Meanwhile, AgustaWestland issued a statement denying any form of irregularity.
"No commission has been paid to any type of broker, either during the military tender for supply of AW101 helicopters to the defence ministry or during the civilian tender for possible supply of helicopters to the police forces," the company stated.
"AgustaWestland has thus complied in full with the laws of India which prohibit the use of brokers for military supplies," it claimed.
Italy probes 'kickbacks' charge in VIP choppers deal with India; Antony assures 'action' : India News - India Today
"I will pursue this query. I have not read the report yet, but I assure you that there will be no mischief and the query will be pursued. We will take strongest actions," Antony told newsmen reacting to the reports.
Earlier, Italian newspapers reported that in its biggest ever probe into corruption in defence deal s, Italy has been investigating allegations that a helicopter manufacturer paid a commission of over Rs.350 crore to a Switzerland-based consultant to sell 12 choppers to India.
Reports said that investigators have raided the Swiss offices of the consultant, Ralph Haschke. The action came after a former top executive of the helicopter company revealed that he was hired to facilitate the Rs.3,546 crore deal with India.
According to reports, Italian investigators were focusing on escalation of €10 million, which was allegedly used by the officials of the helicopter company, AgustaWestland, to bribe Italian political parties.
Several documents regarding this agreement were reported to have been recovered by the investigators who raided the consultant's office.
The investigation can have larger ramifications for India if it is established that an agent was indeed hired by the company to facilitate the VIP helicopters contract. As per Indian laws, it is illegal for companies to hire agents for defence contracts.
AgustaWestland denies wrongdoing
Meanwhile, AgustaWestland issued a statement denying any form of irregularity.
"No commission has been paid to any type of broker, either during the military tender for supply of AW101 helicopters to the defence ministry or during the civilian tender for possible supply of helicopters to the police forces," the company stated.
"AgustaWestland has thus complied in full with the laws of India which prohibit the use of brokers for military supplies," it claimed.
Italy probes 'kickbacks' charge in VIP choppers deal with India; Antony assures 'action' : India News - India Today
