CBI registers preliminary enquiry for alleged bribery in procurement of 12 AW 101 VVIP/VIP helicopters

Jalandhar, February 26, 2013: The Central Bureau of Investigation has on Monday registered a Preliminary Enquiry against the then Chief of Air Staff; five private persons; Italy-based company and its CEO; UK-based Company and its CEO; three middlemen and two India-based private firms in the matter of procurement of 12AW 101 VVIP/VIP Helicopters from U.K based company.

 It is alleged that in the procurement process of the Helicopters, some middlemen have influenced the deal in favour of U.K based company. It is also alleged that Italy based company paid commission in terms of several millions of Euros to the middle men. The two middlemen from their share of commission allegedly paid huge sums of money to several Indian Nationals through Tunisia and Mauritius route in the garb of engineering contracts with two India based companies. The two middle men are directors in one of India based private companies, in which one private person works as Chief Operating Officer and he allegedly has a role in channelising money for illegal purposes. 

Further enquiry is continuing.