India seeks information on Italy malpractice report
1 min read . Updated: 25 Apr 2012, 03:30 PM IST
PremiumIndia seeks information on Italy malpractice report
New Delhi: The defence ministry said Wednesday that it had sought information from the Indian embassy in Rome on media reports in Italy about an inquiry into a deal alleging “malpractices in the procurement of 12 helicopters for the VVIP communication squadrons of the Indian Air Force from AgustaWestland."
The ministry had earlier sought information on media reports in February 2012 about investigations by Italy into alleged unethical dealings by Finmeccanica Italy.
“The Indian embassy reported that Italian authorities were conducting preliminary investigations on allegations of financial malpractices occurring within Finmeccanica and its subsidiaries in general," the ministry said. “There is no clear indication at this stage whether the India-related deal would be probed on the strength of preliminary investigations."
Two Italian newspapers, La Repubblica and IL Messagero, have reported that investigators recently raided the Swiss offices of a consultant related to the deal.
The 12 VVIP choppers that were contracted in February 2010, are slated to join the Indian Air Force sometime in 2013.
The companies involved didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.
