CBI team to visit italy; CAG report soon

After registering a complaint, the CBI on Friday decided to send its team of investigators to Italy within a week to investigate the alleged payment of kickbacks to Indian nationals or entities by an Italian firm to clinch the Rs.3, 760 crore deal to supply 12 AgustaWestland VVIP helicopters in 2010.

After registering a complaint, the CBI on Friday decided to send its team of investigators to Italy within a week to investigate the alleged payment of kickbacks to Indian nationals or entities by an Italian firm to clinch the Rs.3, 760 crore deal to supply 12 AgustaWestland VVIP helicopters in 2010.

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The complaint, a precursor to a Preliminary Enquiry or a Regular case, was registered today on the basis of details given to the agency by ministry of defence (MoD).

“It’s just a formality, MoD’s reference was filed as a complaint. Our team will visit Italy within a week to find ways of gathering vital probe-related documents from the courts and probe officials,” said the source.

CAG to audit deal

The CAG is auditing the deal and the report can be expected soon.

“CAG conducts audit of the defence ministry and we have done it in this case (AgustaWestland deal) too. It will come to your notice very soon,” Vinod Rai said in Mumbai.

Besides routine cognizance, CAG is also mandated to take suo motu notice and follow-up action against acts of omission and commission in deals entered to by the defence ministry.