CBI to probe bribe charge against army brigadier

CBI is set to seek clarification from a serving Indian army brigadier as part of its probe into alleged irregularities related to the bid of United Kingdom-based AgustaWestland firm to supply light utility helicopters in 2010, Abhishek Saran reports.

CBI is set to seek clarification from a serving Indian army brigadier as part of its probe into alleged irregularities related to the bid of United Kingdom-based AgustaWestland firm to supply light utility helicopters in 2010.

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“We will soon seek clarifications from an army brigadier about allegations that he had offered to help a UK-based firm to clinch a deal to supply 197 light utility helicopters in lieu of a bribe of US $5 million,” said a CBI source. A preliminary enquiry to probe allegations against the firm and the official was lodged on request from the Defence Ministry.

The army official had allegedly made contacts with the accused UK firm’s representatives in January 2010, with an offer to provide information on the bidding process for the supply of light utility helicopters.

The allegations came to light when Italian investigators, who were probing corruption charges against the UK-based firm and its parent Italian firm in connection with a deal to supply VVIP helicopters to India, seized some documents, said the source.