New Delhi: Indian Defence Ministry has directed Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) for an early inquiry into the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper deal. The Indian Defence Ministry had on Tuesday ordered a CBI probe into the $750 million deal for 12 VVIP AgustaWestland helicopters following the arrest of its Italian manufacturer Finmeccanica’s chief on charges of graft in the contract.
Informing about the development to newsmen on Wedesday, Indian Defence Minister A.K. Antony added that government had directed CBI for an early inquiry.
“At the moment I’m not in a position to say anything. I can assure you that the moment we get a report from CBI we will take a strongest action provided in the integrity pact… that includes cancellation of the contract and blacklisting the companies. But before CBI’s report I don’t want to jump into any conclusion,” Mr. Antony said.
This is not the first time that the allegations have surfaced. Three of the helicopters have already been delivered to the Indian Air Force (IAF), the first of them in December 2010.
