2013 Indian helicopter bribery scandal

none Agusta scandal Choppergate the 2011 Nine News Queensland controversy Nine News Queensland#"Choppergate" controversy Choppergate the scandal involving Bronwyn Bishop commonly referred to as "Chopper-gate" Bronwyn Bishop#Expenses controversy and resignation May 2016 January 2024 thumb|An Italian Navy AW101 which is the same model purchased under this deal The AgustaWestland VVIP chopper deal was an Indian helicopter bribery scandal by the Indian National Congress-led UPA Government that led to a multimillion-dollar corruption case in India, wherein money was paid to middlemen and Indian officials in 2006 and 2007 to purchase helicopters for high-level politicians.CBI gets Michel custody: Bank linked to payoff taken over, account details are missing https://indianexpress.com/article/india/bank-linked-to-payoff-taken-over-account-details-are-missing-5480551/ 6 December 2018 The Indian Express 5 December 2018 According to the CBI, this amounted to ₹2.5 billion (US$26 million), transferred through bank accounts in the UK and the UAE. It came to light in early 2013, when an Indian national parliamentary investigation began into allegations of bribery and corruption involving several senior officials and the European helicopter manufacturer AgustaWestland in connection with the purchase of a new fleet of helicopters. The scandal has been referred to as the Chopper scam or Choppergate by the media and popular press.SEARCH RESULTS FOR Choppergate http://indiatoday.intoday.in/advanced_search.jsp?searchword=Choppergate&searchtype=text&search_type=article https://web.archive.org/web/20151017151646/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/advanced_search.jsp?searchword=Choppergate&searchtype=text&search_type=article dead 17 October 2015 4 March 2013 India Today Several Indian Congress politicians and military officials were accused of accepting bribes from AgustaWestland in order to win the 3.6 b Indian contract for the supply of 12 AgustaWestland AW101 helicopters; these helicopters are intended to perform VVIP duties for the President of India and other important state officials. Kumar Vinay Chopper scam: Long-drawn legal battle ahead https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/chopper-scam-longdrawn-legal-battle-ahead/article4428630.ece The Hindu 18 February 2013 25 February 2013 Chennai, India Ahmed Patel, political secretary to Congress President Sonia Gandhi, is alleged by Italian prosecutors to have received kickbacks from the deal.http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/does-ap-mean-ahmed-patel-asks-prosecutor-in-italy-court-middleman-says-dont-know/ Does AP mean Ahmed Patel, asks prosecutor in Italy court; middleman says don't know 10 January 2014 The Indian Express A note presented in the Italian court, sent by middleman Christian Michel (who was extradited to India on 4 December 2018), asks Peter Hulett, an AgustaWestland employee, to target key advisors to Sonia Gandhi and lists their names as Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, Ahmed Patel, Pranab Mukherjee, M. Veerappa Moily, Oscar Fernandes, M. K. Narayanan and Vinay Singh. The note also contains the bribes to be paid out, divided as "AF" €6 million, "BUR" €8.4 million, "Pol" €6 million and "AP" €3 million.https://www.indiatoday.in/india/north/story/agustawestland-vvip-chopper-scam-note-sonia-gandhi-manmohan-singh-179375-2014-02-02 Sonia Gandhi, PM tainted by chopper scam as note reveals Agusta was advised to target top leaders to win contract 2 February 2014 http://ibnlive.in.com/news/agustawestland-scam-has-upa-subverted-india-into-a-kleptocracy-asks-jaitley/449527-37-64.html https://web.archive.org/web/20140221043324/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/agustawestland-scam-has-upa-subverted-india-into-a-kleptocracy-asks-jaitley/449527-37-64.html dead 2014-02-21 AgustaWestland scam: Has UPA subverted India into a kleptocracy, asks Jaitley News18http://www.firstpost.com/india/target-sonia-her-key-advisers-middleman-told-agustawestland-1370205.html 'Target' Sonia, her key advisers: Middleman told AgustaWestland FP Staff 2 February 2014 Firstpost On 8 January 2018, the third Court of Appeals of Milan acquitted the defendants on all charges.https://in.reuters.com/article/leonardo-india-corruption-trial/italian-court-clears-former-leonardo-bosses-in-india-corruption-case-idINKBN1EX159?il=0 Reuters 9 January 2018 6 September 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200906183548/https://in.reuters.com/article/leonardo-india-corruption-trial/italian-court-clears-former-leonardo-bosses-in-india-corruption-case-idINKBN1EX159?il=0 dead Abhay Tyagi was also accused of having received kickbacks worth ₹69,00,000. The case continues to be investigated in India by the Indian government and the CBI. Overview The Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed a contract to purchase 12 AgustaWestland AW101 helicopters in February 2010 for the Communication Squadron of the Indian Air Force to carry the president, PM and other VVIPs. Controversy over the contract came to light on 12 February 2013 with the arrest of Giuseppe Orsi, the CEO of Finmeccanica, AgustaWestland's parent company, by Italian authorities over corruption and bribery charges;http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-orsi-finmeccanica-idUKBRE91B09K20130212 https://web.archive.org/web/20160306162026/http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-orsi-finmeccanica-idUKBRE91B09K20130212 dead 6 March 2016 Finmeccanica head arrested over India bribe allegations Emilio Parodi and Stephen Jewkes Reuters 12 February 2013 the following day Indian Defence Minister A.K. Antony ordered a probe into the contract.VVIP chopper deal scam: Italy arrests Finmeccanica CEO, India orders CBI probe http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/vvip-chopper-deal-scam-italy-arrests-finmeccanica-ceo-india-orders-cbi-probe_828646.html ZEE News 13 February 2013 28 February 2013 Critical events On 25 March 2013, India's Defence Minister A. K. Antony confirmed corruption allegations by stating: "Yes, corruption has taken place in the helicopter deal and bribes have been taken. The CBI is pursuing the case very vigorously."Bribes were taken in the VVIP helicopter deal, admits Defence Minister AK Antony https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/chopper-scam-helcopter-deal-was-tainted-admits-ak-antony-156967-2013-03-24 19 March 2013 India today 25 March 2013 As of June 2014, the Indian government has recovered a total amount of 20.68 b and has recovered around 16.2 b (45% of the total contract value 36 b) it had paid to AgustaWestland. On 8 April 2016, the Milan Court of Appeal overturned a lower court verdict and sentenced AgustaWestland executive Giuseppe Orsi to four years' imprisonment for his role in paying €30 million in bribes to Indian politicians, bureaucrats and Indian Air Force officials..CBI Seeks Italian Court's Order on AgustaWestland Graft NDTV.com 27 April 2016 http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/cbi-seeks-italian-courts-order-on-agustawestland-graft-1399825 3 May 2016 On 9 December 2016, the CBI arrested former Indian Air Force Chief S. P. Tyagi along with his cousin Sanjeev Tyagi and lawyer Gautam Khaitan.Pandey Devesh K. Former Air Force chief Tyagi arrested by CBI in AgustaWestland case https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/former-air-force-chief-tyagi-arrested-by-cbi-in-agustawestland-case/article16784677.ece 25 October 2017 The Hindu 9 December 2016 en-IN In September 2017, the CBI filed a formal chargesheet against S. P. Tyagi and nine others. On 16 December 2016, the Italian Supreme Court of Cassazione cancelled the April 2016 conviction sentence, and ordered a retrial to be held again in Milan. On 8 January 2018, the third Court of Appeals of Milan acquitted the defendants on all charges On 5 December 2018, Christian Michel, the alleged middleman, was extradited to India from Dubai.Ohri Raghav Christian Michel lands in India, to face court today https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/agustawestland-deal-middleman-christian-michel-lands-in-new-delhi/articleshow/66943452.cms 28 February 2019 The Economic Times 5 December 2018 On 31 January 2019, another co-accused, Rajeev Saxena, and lobbyist Deepak Talwar were extradited to India from Dubai.Ohri Raghav AgustaWestland scam co-accused Rajeev Saxena, lobbyist Deepak Talwar extradited to India https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/agustawestland-co-accused-rajeev-saxena-brought-to-india/articleshow/67761301.cms 28 February 2019 The Economic Times 31 January 2019 In April 2019 supplementary charge-sheet filed by the Enforcement Directorate mentioned the names of the three journalists, including Shekhar Gupta, with Raju Santhanam and Manu Pubby.https://english.newsnationtv.com/india/news/agustawestland-case-christian-michel-hired-media-advisor-to-influence-public-opinion-chargesheet-mentions-3-journalists-article-219519.html AgustaWestland: Michel hired advisor to 'influence' public opinion, chargesheet mentions 3 journalists 5 November 2020 10 July 2024 https://web.archive.org/web/20240710105322/https://english.newsnationtv.com/india/news/agustawestland-case-christian-michel-hired-media-advisor-to-influence-public-opinion-chargesheet-mentions-3-journalists-article-219519.html deadhttps://www.outlookindia.com/national/india-news-three-journalists-mentioned-in-agustawestland-chargesheet-news-328135 Three Journalists Mentioned in AgustaWestland Chargesheet 5 April 2019 https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/agustawestland-chargesheet-mentions-three-journalists-119040500027_1.html AgustaWestland chargesheet mentions three journalists Business Standard India 5 April 2019https://www.mynation.com/india-news/christian-michel-asked-shekhar-gupta-manu-pubby-raju-santhanam-to-influence-public-opinion-on-agustawestland-ed-pphjuo Christian Michel asked Shekhar Gupta, Manu Pubby, Raju Santhanam to influence public opinion on AgustaWestland: EDhttps://www.thequint.com/news/hot-news/agustawestland-chargesheet-mentions-three-journalists AgustaWestland chargesheet mentions three journalists 5 April 2019 https://www.apnlive.com/agusta-westland-deal-ahmad-patel-sonia-gandhi-journalists-mentioned-ed-chargesheet/ Agusta Westland deal: Ahmad Patel, Sonia Gandhi, journalists mentioned in ED chargesheet - APN Live 5 April 2019 5 November 2020 4 December 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211204045012/https://www.apnlive.com/agusta-westland-deal-ahmad-patel-sonia-gandhi-journalists-mentioned-ed-chargesheet/ dead On 22 May 2019, Giuseppe Orsi was fully acquitted of all charges by the Italian judiciary.Former Leonardo CEO gets final acquittal in helicopter kickback case In November 2020, the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention adopted Opinion No. 88/2020, finding Christian Michel's detention arbitrary and in breach of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and called on India to release him. India's Ministry of External Affairs rejected the opinion as based on "limited information" and "biased allegations".Opinion No. 88/2020 concerning Christian James Michel (India and United Arab Emirates) UN Human Rights Council, Working Group on Arbitrary Detention 2020 A/HRC/WGAD/2020/88 https://digitallibrary.un.org/record/3932576UN panel's finding on Michel based on limited info, biased allegations: MEA Business Standard 26 February 2021 https://www.business-standard.com/article/current-affairs/un-panel-s-finding-on-michel-based-on-limited-info-biased-allegations-mea-121022601358_1.html Guido Ralph Haschke, who had been accused of being a middleman in the helicopter deal, was fully and finally acquitted of all charges by the Appeals Court of Brescia on June 30, 2025. https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/italy-court-acquits-consultant-india-helicopter-case-2025-07-01/ After about six years in custody, Christian Michel was granted bail by the Supreme Court of India in February 2025; in December 2025, a Delhi court ordered his release in the Enforcement Directorate money-laundering case, while he remained an accused in the separate Central Bureau of Investigation corruption case.AgustaWestland Scam: Supreme Court grants bail to Christian Michel Bar and Bench 2025 https://www.barandbench.com/news/agustawestland-scam-supreme-court-grants-bail-to-christian-michelIndian court orders release of Briton held without trial for years BBC News December 2025 https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/crrdqp9y212o * In April 2026, the Delhi High Court recorded that Michel had not complied with the conditions for his release on bail and continued to remain in jail; it dismissed his petition seeking release.Christian Michel James vs Union Of India And Ors on 8 April, 2026 https://indiankanoon.org/doc/73872165/ 24 June 2026 Indian Kanoon Investigation After a huge controversy and allegations of corruption,Chopper Deal: BJP Attacks UPA, Says It's 'Raining Scams' http://news.outlookindia.com/items.aspx?artid=789987 5 October 2013 15 February 2013 https://web.archive.org/web/20131005220606/http://news.outlookindia.com/items.aspx?artid=789987 5 October 2013 deadSt Antony needs to be decanonised http://www.firstpost.com/politics/vvip-chopper-scam-st-antony-needs-to-be-decanonised-623639.html 5 October 2013 13 February 2013 Defence Minister A.K. Antony, on 12 February 2013, ordered an investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).CBI probe ordered http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/cbi-probe-ordered-into-italian-chopper-deal/article4409584.ece https://web.archive.org/web/20130216171318/http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/cbi-probe-ordered-into-italian-chopper-deal/article4409584.ece live 16 February 2013 5 October 2013 13 February 2013 Chennai, India The Hindu Vinay subscription KumarItaly arrests Finmeccanica CEO, India orders CBI probe http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/vvip-chopper-deal-scam-italy-arrests-finmeccanica-ceo-india-orders-cbi-probe_828646.html 5 October 2013 13 February 2013 On 25 February 2013, CBI registered a Preliminary Enquiry (PE) against 11 persons including the former Indian Air Force Chief, Air Chief Marshal S. P. Tyagi, and his cousins, besides four companies.CBI names Tyagi, cousins in PE https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/cbi-names-tyagi-cousins-in-preliminary-enquiry/article4452467.ece 5 October 2013 25 February 2013 Chennai, India The Hindu Devesh K. Pandey After carrying out the preliminary enquiry, the CBI found sufficient evidence and registered an FIR on 13 March 2013. The FIR named 13 persons including: former Indian Air Force Chief, Air Chief Marshal S. P. Tyagi, his three brothers: Juli, Docsa and Sandeep, the brother of former Union minister Santosh Bagrodia, Satish Bagrodia, and Pratap Aggarwal (Chairman and managing director of IDS Infotech). The FIR also named four companies - Italy-based Finmeccanica, UK-based AgustaWestland and Chandigarh-based IDS Infotech and Aeromatrix.CBI registers FIR against former Air chief SP Tyagi https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/VVIP-chopper-scam-CBI-registers-FIR-against-former-Air-chief-SP-Tyagi/articleshow/18947790.cms https://web.archive.org/web/20131006103022/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-03-13/india/37681619_1_ids-infotech-michel-and-guido-haschkhe-preliminary-enquiry live 6 October 2013 5 October 2013 The Times of India 13 March 2013CBI files FIR against Air Force ex-chief SP Tyagi, 11 others http://ibnlive.in.com/news/agustawestland-chopper-deal-cbi-files-fir-against-air-force-exchief-sp-tyagi-11-others/378469-3.html https://web.archive.org/web/20130314190058/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/agustawestland-chopper-deal-cbi-files-fir-against-air-force-exchief-sp-tyagi-11-others/378469-3.html dead 14 March 2013 5 October 2013 13 March 2013 In 2013, billionaire Indian arms dealer Abhishek Verma and his Romanian-born wife Anca Neacsu were named suspects in this scandal. Abhishek had played the role of a middleman in the deal and had interfaced with the politicians in securing CCS clearance from the Cabinet Committee. This nexus was exposed by TimesNow TV with their global investigation.http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/videos/news/Abhishek-Vermas-firm-acted-as-brokers-for-AgustaWestland/videoshow/18510668.cms Times Now TV global investigation role of Abhishek Verma and his wife Anca Neacsu in 12 VVIP Chopper scandalhttp://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Abhishek-Vermas-firm-acted-as-brokers-for-AgustaWestland/articleshow/18508189.cms Times of India role of Abhishek Verma middleman in Agusta VVIP choppers According to the investigators, part of the bribes from AgustaWestland were sent to Abhishek's companies, Atlas Defence Systemshttp://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2006-10-20/news/27427504_1_war-room-leak-28-page-chargesheet-abhishek-verma https://web.archive.org/web/20160513230356/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2006-10-20/news/27427504_1_war-room-leak-28-page-chargesheet-abhishek-verma dead 13 May 2016 Atlas Defence Systems - Abhishek Verma accounts in Mauritius, to Bermuda accounts of Atlas Group Ltd and the other part was diverted to his wife's front company in New York, Ganton Limited.http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/abhishek-verma-claims-retd-lt-gen-was-on-payroll/story-YbL7L3LnDzUuSEPfn7PvyH.html Ganton Ltd front company of Abhishek Verma newsitemhttps://indiankanoon.org/doc/175205366/ Ganton Limited New York is a front of Abhishek Verma controlled by his wife Anca Neacsu - Delhi High Court order These funds are suspected to have been sent to Indian politicians who were beneficiaries in this scandal. BJP leader Subramanian Swamy had first identified the role of Abhishek Vermahttp://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/agustawestland-vvip-chopper-deal-a-k-anthony-manohar-parrikar-2784987/ MOD seeks info from Italy on Abhishek Verma's role in VVIP chopper Scam and his wife Anca Neacsuhttp://www.thestatesman.com/news/india/agustawestland-the-story-so-far/140717.html Role of Anca Neacsu wife of Abhishek Verma in VVIP Chopper Scam identified in 2013 in several of his blogs and press releases.http://www.hindusthanjanataforum.org/?p=809 Role of Abhishek Verma identified by Subramanian Swamy MP 28 April 2016 4 October 2016 https://web.archive.org/web/20161004165737/http://www.hindusthanjanataforum.org/?p=809 deadhttp://www.wikileaks-forum.com/corruptionanti-corruption/124/and8206the-italian-helicopter-scam-agusta-westland/17712/ Role of Abhishek Verma in helicopter scandal - Wikileaks https://web.archive.org/web/20160430091411/http://www.wikileaks-forum.com/corruptionanti-corruption/124/and8206the-italian-helicopter-scam-agusta-westland/17712 30 April 2016 dead Later in April 2017, the Verma couple were exonerated from these allegations of corruption by the CBI Special Court of Judge Anju Bajaj Chandana.https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/court-discharges-abhishek-verma-in-graft-case/articleshow/58380997.cms?from=mdr Court discharges Abhishek Verma in graft case 2017-04-26 The Economic Times 2020-04-18 In September 2015, a special CBI court issued an open non-bailable warrant (NBW) against Christian Michel based on a CBI report that he needed to be questioned in the case to know how much amount he had received as "commission" in the deal. The CBI said that "Based on this arrest warrant, Interpol India would be requested to issue a Red Corner Notice against Christian Michel James and execute said warrant."Open NBW Issued Against Accused UK National http://www.outlookindia.com/news/article/vvip-chopper-deal-open-nbw-issued-against-accused-uk-national/914408 https://web.archive.org/web/20151001203629/http://www.outlookindia.com/news/article/vvip-chopper-deal-open-nbw-issued-against-accused-uk-national/914408 dead 1 October 2015 30 September 2015 In an interview to a newspaper, he denied any wrongdoing by stating that he had never met any "Gandhi" in his life.VVIP chopper scam: Never met Sonia Gandhi in my life, says accused middleman http://www.abplive.in/india-news/agustawestland-vvip-chopper-scam-never-met-sonia-gandhi-in-my-life-says-alleged-middleman-james-christian-michel-330233 ABP News Bureau ABP Live 27 April 2016 Enforcement Directorate (ED) is investigating money laundering allegations. In March 2015, the ED traced and identified the properties worth around 1.12 crore owned by Christian Michel and issued a provisional attachment order. The ED claimed that Michel bought a flat in south Delhi's Safdarjung Enclave in the name of media firm Media Exim using the bribe money. He was also reportedly in possession of a luxury car and a Fixed Deposit of 54 lakh. In September 2015, the adjudicating authority confirmed the attachment of properties and allowed the agency to retain the properties.First property attachment in AgustaWestland VVIP helicopter deal scam http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2015-09-02/news/66144110_1_christian-michel-adjudicating-authority-enforcement-directorate https://web.archive.org/web/20150912013403/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2015-09-02/news/66144110_1_christian-michel-adjudicating-authority-enforcement-directorate dead 12 September 2015 30 September 2015 In September 2015, the ED attached assets worth about 7 crore alleged to be in the name of family members of ex-IAF Chief S. P. Tyagi.ed-attaches-assets-of-tyagi-family http://www.outlookindia.com/news/article/vvip-choppers-case-ed-attaches-assets-of-tyagi-family/915149 https://web.archive.org/web/20151001202002/http://www.outlookindia.com/news/article/vvip-choppers-case-ed-attaches-assets-of-tyagi-family/915149 dead 1 October 2015 The CBI and the ED have sent letters rogatory to as many as eight countries including Italy, Tunisia,Money trail in VVIP chopper scam takes ED to UK, Switzerland http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Money-trail-in-VVIP-chopper-scam-takes-ED-to-UK-Switzerland/articleshow/48782012.cms 30 September 2015 Mauritius, the UAE, the UK, Switzerland, Singapore and the British Virgin Islands.CBI awaiting response from 8 countries http://www.dnaindia.com/money/report-agustawestland-probe-cbi-awaiting-response-from-8-countries-2084274 30 September 2015 Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) investigation Joint Parliamentary Committee On 27 February 2013, the UPA-II Government introduced a motion in the Rajya Sabha (the upper house of the Parliament of India) for an investigation led by a 30-member Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC). The motion was passed after a walkout by most of the opposition parties like BJP, JD(U), Trinamool Congress, CPI, TDP and AGP.Govt adopts motion for JPC probe, opposition walks out http://www.firstpost.com/politics/chopper-deal-govt-adopts-motion-for-jpc-probe-opposition-walks-out-642296.html 4 March 2013 FirstPost 28 February 2013 During the debate, Leader of the Opposition Arun Jaitley said the JPC was an "exercise in futility" and a "diversionary tactic." He argued that the case involved various legal aspects such as extradition of accused foreigners and custodial interrogation and the JPC can have "none of these powers," leaving it ineffective. Many opposition members demanded a Supreme Court-monitored investigation (on similar lines of the 2G spectrum case). Demands were also made to establish a money trail and issue a Letter Rogatory (LR).Parliament passes JPC probe into chopper scam http://www.indianexpress.com/news/parliament-passes-jpc-probe-into-chopper-scam/1080660/ The Indian Express 27 February 2013 28 February 2013 The UPA government initially denied all allegations and claimed it had "nothing to hide" and that "our track record is not cover-up." Cancellation of the contract by the Indian Government India cancelled the 3,600 crore deal with AgustaWestland in January 2014. The government cancelled the contract "on grounds of breach of the Pre-contract Integrity Pact and the agreement by AWIL (AgustaWestland International Ltd)". The contract was frozen in February 2013 after allegations surfaced that 3.6 b 2013 was paid as a bribe. http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/rs-3600-crore-vvip-chopper-deal-with-agustawestland-scrapped-in-view-of-bribery-allegations/articleshow/28238060.cms Rs 3,600 crore VVIP chopper deal with AgustaWestland scrapped in view of bribery allegations The Times of India 2 January 2014 Decision-makers Senior officials involved in the decision-making process that led to the selection of the AgustaWestland helicopters for VVIP use were M. K. Narayanan (Indian Police Service (IPS), former Director Intelligence Bureau (India) and NSA); B V Wanchoo (IPS, and Chief of Special Protection Group); and Shashi Kant Sharma, IAS, and former defence secretary.All linked to Agusta got good posts, says Manohar Parrikar https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/090516/agustawestland-deal-tainted-got-plum-postings-says-manohar-parrikar.html 9 May 2016 Deccan Chronicle 9 May 2016 After their tenures at the centre, the UPA Government made M.K. Narayanan governor of West Bengal, B.V. Wanchoo governor of Goa and Shashikant Sharma Comptroller and Auditor General of India. CBI probe The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) approached the Union Law Ministry to record statements of M. K. Narayanan and B. V. Wanchoo in January 2014.http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/cbi-seeks-home-law-ministries-advice-to-examine-b-v-wanchoo-m-k-narayanan/ CBI seeks Home, Law ministries' advice to examine B V Wanchoo, M K Narayanan 22 January 2014 M.K. Narayanan and B. V. Wanchoo were West Bengal and Goa Governors respectively at the time of CBI's request. Their statements were considered vital as they were the National Security Adviser and the Special Protection Group (SPG) chief at the time of the signing of the contract with AgustaWestland. Their views were also considered before the Indian Government signed the contract with AgustaWestland. However, Kapil Sibal's Union Law Ministry stonewalled the CBI probe by rejecting the CBI's request to examine them under the usual excuse of "immunity." The CBI, therefore, approached President Pranab Mukherjee to seek permission to examine ex-NSA and ex-chief of SPG.https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/VVIP-chopper-deal-CBI-seeks-Presidents-permission-to-question-Narayanan-Wanchoo/articleshow/29177235.cms https://web.archive.org/web/20140125072329/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2014-01-22/india/46461322_1_service-ceiling-former-iaf-chief-cbi-move live 2014-01-25 The Times of India VVIP chopper deal: CBI seeks President's permission to question Narayanan, Wanchoo M. K. Narayanan and B. V. Wanchoo were questioned by CBI later in June and July 2014 respectively.CBI questions West Bengal governor M K Narayanan as witness in VVIP chopper deal http://www.patrika.com/news/cbi-questions-west-bengal-governor-m-k-narayanan-as-witness-in-vvip-chopper-deal/1014633 4 July 2014 Patrika Group 28 June 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140714135137/http://www.patrika.com/news/cbi-questions-west-bengal-governor-m-k-narayanan-as-witness-in-vvip-chopper-deal/1014633 14 July 2014 deadGoa Governor, Questioned By the CBI in AugustaWestland Chopper Deal, May Resign http://www.patrika.com/news/goa-governor-questioned-by-the-cbi-in-augustawestland-chopper-deal-may-resign/1015948 4 July 2014 Patrika Group 4 July 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140714165008/http://www.patrika.com/news/goa-governor-questioned-by-the-cbi-in-augustawestland-chopper-deal-may-resign/1015948 14 July 2014 dead Recovery of bank guarantee After the cancellation of the contract, India encashed over 2.5 b made by AgustaWestland as a bank guarantee in Indian banks in January 2014.India encashes over Rs 250 cr bank guarantee of AgustaWestland http://www.dailypioneer.com/nation/india-encashes-over-rs250-cr-bank-guarantee-of-agustawestland.html 8 June 2014 14 July 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20140714145554/http://www.dailypioneer.com/nation/india-encashes-over-rs250-cr-bank-guarantee-of-agustawestland.html dead Separately, India requested the Italian government to retrieve the bank guarantee amount made by the firm in Italian banks, which was more than €275 million ( 23.64 billion).http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/agustawestland-deal-italy-court-rejects-indias-plea-to-recover-bank-guarantee/ AgustaWestland deal: Italy court rejects India's plea to recover bank guarantee 18 March 2014 The Indian Expresshttp://www.ndtv.com/article/india/italy-judge-rejects-india-bid-to-recover-agustawestland-guarantees-496745 Italy judge rejects India bid to recover AgustaWestland guarantees 18 March 2014 NDTV On 17 March 2014, a request made by India was rejected by an Italian court.http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Italy-judge-rejects-India-request-to-recover-AgustaWestland-guarantees-Sources/articleshow/32214505.cms Italy judge rejects India request to recover AgustaWestland guarantees: Sources 18 March 2014 The Times of India dead https://web.archive.org/web/20140318124406/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Italy-judge-rejects-India-request-to-recover-AgustaWestland-guarantees-Sources/articleshow/32214505.cms 18 March 2014 However, the appellate court in Milan reversed the lower court's judgement and upheld the claims of the Indian government.India to encash 228 m euros bank guarantees of Agusta http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/india-to-encash-228-m-euros-bank-guarantees-of-agusta/ 8 June 2014 Accordingly, in June 2014, the Indian government encashed 18.18 b, taking the total amount recovered so far to 20.68 b.India recovers Rs.1818 crore from AgustaWestland https://www.indiatoday.in/mail-today/story/chopper-scam-india-recovers-1818-crore-from-agustawestland-196030-2014-06-07 8 June 2014 With this, India was reported to have recovered the entire amount of around 16.2 b (45% of the total contract value 36 b) it had paid to AgustaWestland.India Scraps Rs. 3,600 crore AgustaWestland Chopper Deal http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/India-Scraps-Rs.3600-crore-AgustaWestland-Chopper-Deal/2014/01/01/article1976905.ece https://web.archive.org/web/20140102205459/http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/India-Scraps-Rs.3600-crore-AgustaWestland-Chopper-Deal/2014/01/01/article1976905.ece dead 2 January 2014 8 June 2014 However, it was later reported that AgustaWestland had not returned the entire amount, and kept €106 million for three helicopters it had delivered.https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/agusta-hasnt-returned-106-million-euros-for-3-choppers-sources-to-ndtv-1400632 AgustaWestland Hasn't Returned 106 Million Euros For 3 Choppers: Sources 29 April 2016 NDTV Italian court judgments Italian prosecutors started investigating the case in late 2011. After completing the investigations, they referred the case for trial to the Court of Busto Arsizio. The Italian court, passing its judgment in October 2014, acquitted ex-IAF Chief S. P. Tyagi of all corruption charges.https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/agustawestland-chopper-scam-no-corruption-by-ex-iaf-chief-sp-tyagi-italian-court-259460-2015-06-24 AgustaWestland chopper scam: No corruption by ex-IAF chief SP Tyagi, says Italian court 24 June 2015 It also acquitted the former Finmeccanica CEO Giuseppe Orsi and former AgustaWestland head Bruno Spagnolini of "charges of international corruption". The court, however, convicted and sentenced them to two years in prison on the lesser charge of "false invoicing" in the case.http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/chopper-scam-two-ex-bosses-of-finmeccanica-cleared-of-graft Chopper scam: Finmeccanica ex-heads cleared of graft charge, get 2 yrs in jail 10 October 2014 The Indian Express On 8 April 2016, the Milan Court of Appeal, in a 225-page judgement, overturned the lower court verdict and sentenced Giuseppe Orsi to four years' imprisonment. Then, on 16 December 2016, the Corte di Cassazione (Supreme Court) cancelled the Appeals Court guilty verdict, and ordered a retrial, referring the matter to a different Court of Appeal in Milan.https://thewire.in/87655/agustawestland-finmeccanica-retrial/ Italy's Highest Court of Appeal Orders Retrial of Top AgustaWestland, Finmeccanica Officials After nine months of proceedings, on 8 January 2018, the Milan Third Court of Appeals finally cleared the defendants and dismissed all charges, on grounds of insufficient evidence provided by the prosecution to support the allegations. The verdict was upheld by the Supreme Court of Cassazione on 22 May 2019 after the Milan General Prosecutor's office failed to have a recourse supported by the Attorney General. References 30em Category:2013 crimes in India Category:2013 in Italy Category:21st-century scandals Category:AgustaWestland Category:Bribery scandals Category:Corruption in defence procurement in India Category:Cover-ups Category:Criminal investigation Category:Manmohan Singh administration Category:Indian military scandals Category:Political scandals in Italy Category:Weapons trade