By TOM KINGTON
and VIVEK RAGHUVANSHI
ROME and NEW DELHI — India’s investigation into alleged kickbacks by Italy’s AgustaWestland to sell AW101 helicopters to the country has taken a step forward as a separate diplomatic row between Rome and New Delhi worsens.
India’s Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) launched a criminal case March 13 against former Air Force chief Shashi Tyagi and 11 others suspected of taking bribes from AgustaWestland to adjust a tender to favor the AW101.
India bought 12 AW101s in 2010 for 560 million euros ($726 million) for VIP transport. Italian magistrates probing the deal last month ordered the arrest of Giuseppe Orsi, CEO of parent company Finmeccanica, who was CEO of AgustaWestland at the time of the helicopter deal, on suspicion of organizing the bribes. Orsi resigned last month and was replaced by Chief Financial Officer Alessandro Pansa.
Both Tyagi and Orsi deny wrongdoing.
Read the full story at DefenseNews