Chopper deal: Court issues warrant against two Italian nationals

New Delhi, Oct 26: A special court on Monday issued non-bailable warrants (NBWs) against two Italian nationals accused in a money-laundering case related to the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper deal.

Special Judge Ajay Kumar Jain issued warrants against two Italian nationals, Carlo Gerosa and Guido Haschke, on a plea filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

ED's special prosecutor NK Matta said their custodial interrogation was required as some new facts had emerged during the probe.

Both Carlo and Haschke were chargesheeted by ED in November last year.

ED has also chargesheeted businessman Gautam Khaitan and his wife Ritu Khaitan along with company Aeromatrix in the case and booked them for offences under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.

The supply of 12 VVIP helicopters from AgustaWestland came under scrutiny after the Italian authorities alleged that the company paid a bribe to clinch the deal with India, inked in February 2010.

Following the allegations, India on January 1, 2014, terminated the Rs.3,600 crore (about $770 million) deal with AgustaWestland for the purchase of the choppers meant to ferry the president, the prime minister and other VIPs.

IANS