The CBI has received transcripts of telephone conversations between Italian middlemen and Italian Defence major Finmeccanica’s officials and others in connection with the Rs 3,700-crore VVIP chopper procurement scam.
The transcripts of the telephone calls were handed over to the Defence Ministry, which has been made an “affected party” by the Italian prosecutors, official sources said adding they have since been handed over to the CBI.
The transcripts are related to phone conversations of alleged European middlemen Haschke Guido and Gerosa Carlo which were tapped by Italianauthorities and have been quoted in their preliminary enquiry report. According to Italian rules, all documents during any probe have to be shared with the affected parties.
The supply of 12 VVIP Helicopters from AgustaWestland had come under scanner after Italian authorities alleged that the bribe money was given by the company to clinch the deal.
The Italian prosecutor, who carried out the preliminary enquiry, alleged that CEO of Finmeccanica, parent company of UK Based AgustaWestland, had used services of middlemen to distribute bribes in India.
CBI which carried out probe in India had named 13 individuals including the former Indian Air Force Chief S P Tyagi and European middlemen Gerosa, Christian Michel and Haschke in the FIR as accused, in connection with the alleged bribe payment in India.