The CBI Thursday met top officialsof the Italian government-controlled Finmeccanica group,parent company of AgustaWestland helicopters, who promisedassistance in probing bribery allegations against some Indiannationals.
During the meeting, CBI officials requested the Italianfirm to handover the report of its internal probe to them sothat it could be examined in India and a proper investigationcould be conducted, official sources said.
The sources said the joint team of the CBI and DefenceMinistry officials were assured of complete assistance andthat the relevant papers would be handed over once the boardof the company met.
The joint team, which is likely to return on Sunday aftertheir week-long stay in Milan, had also met senior officialsof the Italian judiciary including the judge in the case torequest for assistance in probing the role of Indians inconnection with alleged kickbacks in the Rs 3,600 crore VVIPhelicopter deal.
This was not forthcoming as they were told that the probein that country was in a preliminary stage and the arrest ofGiuseppe Orsi, chairman of the firm, and Bruno Spagnolini,Chief Executive officer of AgustaWestland, was more of apreventive nature so that they did not tamper with evidence.
Two law firms -- Chiomenti and Grippo -- have been ropedin to help in coordinating with the Italian authorities forgetting documents and other relevant material pertaining tothe AgustaWestland deal for supplying 12 helicopters to India.
It has been alleged that kickbacks to the tune of Rs 362crore were allegedly paid to swing the deal in favour ofAgustaWestland.
he joint team comprising a CBI DIG, a law officer of the agency, a Joint Secretary-level officer of the Ministry and anofficial of the External Affairs Ministry has been camping inMilan to gather as much inputs as possible.
The team is likely to meet some more officials inconnection with the alleged kickbacks.
The two law firms have been appointed keeping in mindtheir work in international cases. Chiomenti law firm wasestablished in 1948 and has 270 attorneys in six countriesincluding in London. Grippo law firm with 360 attorneys has apresence in five countries including the UK.
The CBI's decision to send a team to Italy came after itvirtually drew a blank from the Defence Ministry in gettinginformation required for its probe.
The CBI was handed over a letter from the DefenceMinistry seeking a probe by it in the case which has triggereda political storm in the country. Attached with the letterwere some Indian and Italian press clippings, which, the CBIsaid, could not form the basis for registering a case.
This was followed by CBI seeking help of Interpol whichalso expressed inability to provide any help in the absence ofany regular case not having been registered by the agency,they said.