Finmeccanica assures assistance to CBI team

The Central Bureau of Investigations (CBI) on Thursday met top  officials of the Italian government-controlled Finmeccanica group,  parent company of AgustaWestland helicopters, who promised assistance  in probing bribery allegations against some Indian nationals.

New chief executive officer of the company, Alessandro Pansa reportedly said that the meeting was ‘positive’ and a discussion will  be done with the Finmeccanica’s board. During the meeting, CBI officials requested the Italian firm to handover the report of its internal probe to them so that it could be examined in India and a proper investigation could be conducted, CBI sources said.

The sources said the joint team of the CBI and Defence Ministry officials were assured of complete assistance and that the relevant  papers would be handed over once the board of the company met.

The joint team, which is likely to return on Sunday after their week-long stay in Milan, had also met senior officials of the Italian judiciary including the judge in the case to request for assistance in probing the role of Indians in connection with alleged kickbacks in the Rs 3,600 crore VVIP helicopter deal.