VVIP chopper deal: Italian court refuses to share probe details with India

Amid the major uproar here, the Indian government has already ordered a CBI probe into the case and has threatened to scrap the deal.

Meanwhile, a CBI team comprising a DIG-level officer and a law officer besides officers from the Defence Ministry will leave for Rome to gather details on the issue.

Defence Ministry's Joint Secretary and Acquisition Manager (Air) Arun Kumar Bal will also leave for Italy on Monday to try to get as much information as possible related to the facts of the deal.

The Defence Ministry yesterday sent a show cause notice to AgustaWestland asking why the contract should not be cancelled in view of the corruption allegations against it. It sought a reply within seven days.

Commenting on the issue, the Italian firm said, "Indian authorities have not cancelled the contract but have requested some clarifications within seven days. AgustaWestland is preparing its answer to timely meet the Indian authorities' request."

On the investigations into the case in Italy, the firm said, "AgustaWestland is confident that the full compliance with the law of its conduct and the conduct of its past and present senior executives and managers will be demonstrated soon."

Meanwhile, the CAG has sent a draft report on the VVIP helicopter procurement to the Defence Ministry for comments.

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