Aeromatrix, IDS india, Agusta linked

Clear links have emerged between the two companies accused of routing Rs 400 crore kickbacks to Indians and AgustaWestland, the British chopper manufacturer that won the Rs 3,760 crore deal to supply helicopters to the IAF. HT reports.

Clear links have emerged between the two companies accused of routing Rs 400 crore kickbacks to Indians and AgustaWestland, the British chopper manufacturer that won the Rs 3,760 crore deal to supply helicopters to the IAF.

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Italian investigators have alleged that Aeromatrix and IDS Infotech - firms based in Chandigarh - and IDS Tunisia were used as fronts to route the bribes. It was done through "non-existing" contracts under which they were to supply software backup for the choppers.

The bribe was eventually meant to reach the key middlemen - Guido Ralph Haschke and Carlo Gerosa - and cousins of former air chief SP Tyagi. Aeromatrix lists Haschke and Gerosa as directors on its board.

Parveen Bakshi, chief executive officer of Aeromatrix, denied the allegations. "I have not been contacted by any Italian or Indian agency. We are open to investigation."

Bakshi features as an executive vice-president of IDS Infotech on several websites, though this connection could not be verified. IDS Infotech is headed by Satish Bagrodia and Partap Agarwal.