DMRC bribery: Alstom ex-chief granted bail

Robert John Hallett, former managing director of Alstom Transport India, was released on conditional bail. He had appeared in Westminster Magistrates' Court on Monday in connection with a 3 million euro bribery case involving officials of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC).

Robert John Hallett, former managing director of Alstom Transport India, was released on conditional bail. He had appeared in Westminster Magistrates' Court on Monday in connection with a 3 million euro bribery case involving officials of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC).

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The case, brought by Britain's Serious Fraud Office (SFO), includes charges related to Alstom's projects in India, Tunisia and Poland. It had set out brief details of the charges during a preliminary hearing on October 7.

Hallett, who was 'requisitioned' to appear in court, is next due to appear in the Southwark Crown Court on November 17. The specific charge against him is that he, along with other directors of the company, gave bribes to secure DMRC contracts.

The charge mentioned in court is: "Robert Hallet together with Alstom Network UK Limited (formerly Alstom International Limited) and certain of its directors and others between 1st day of August 2000 and the 9th day of August 2006 did corruptly give or agree to give payments to an official or officials or other agents of the Delhi Metro Rail Corporation."

The charge also mentions two specific payments, which were made "as inducements or rewards for showing favour to the Alstom Group in relation to the award or performance of a contract with the said Delhi Metro Rail Corporation Ltd for a Train Control, Signalling and Telecommunications System for the Delhi Metro Phase 1".

During the October hearing, SFO prosecutors were given a deadline till November 18 to submit evidence in relation to the bribery charges.

The next hearing is scheduled for January 25, 2015.