AgustaWestland answers India's notice

The AgustaWestland on Tuesday replied to the ministry of defence show cause notice in connection with alleged irregularities in purchase of 12 AW 101 VVIP helicopters.

Though the ministry of defence is examining the reply by the Ango-Intalian defence giant, the company has maintained in its reply that they have not violated the integrity pact in any manner, sources said.

The defence ministry would also seek some more documents from the firm relating to the deal with the Indian government.

A fortnight back, the defence ministry had issued a show cause notice to the company as part of the process to cancel the contract for 12 AW101 choppers.

The ministry had asked the firm why the deal should not be cancelled in view of corruption charges against it.

In its earlier response, the firm had replied to the letter denying any wrongdoings in the deal but Defence Minister A K Antony rejected the response of the firm.

Later, the defence ministry shot off another letter to the company for asking clarification on its linkages with two Chandigarh-based IT companies.

Both Aeromatrix and IDS Infotech are based in Chandigarh and are being investigated by the CBI along with former Indian Air Force chief SP Tyagi and three of his cousins for allegedly ensuring that AgustaWestland won the multicrore deal from India.

The Defence Minister has ordered a CBI probe into the allegations of kickbacks to the tune of Rs 362 crore after the arrest of CEO of Finmeccanica Giuseppe Orsi and AgustaWestland CEO Bruno Spagnolini by Italian investigators in connection with the case.

@DNA