{{Short description|none}} {{distinguish|Agusta scandal}} {{redirect|Choppergate|the 2011 ''Nine News Queensland'' controversy|Nine News Queensland#"Choppergate" controversy}} {{redirect|Choppergate|the scandal involving Bronwyn Bishop commonly referred to as "Chopper-gate" |Bronwyn Bishop#Expenses controversy and resignation}} {{EngvarB|date=May 2016}} {{Use dmy dates|date=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 Indian National Congress led UPA Government that lead 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.<ref name="iedec">{{cite news |title=CBI gets Michel custody: Bank linked to payoff taken over, account details are missing |url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/bank-linked-to-payoff-taken-over-account-details-are-missing-5480551/ |accessdate=6 December 2018 |work=The Indian Express|date=5 December 2018}}</ref> As per the CBI, this amounted to {{INRConvert|2.5|b}}, transferred through bank accounts in the UK and 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 surrounding 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.<ref name="SEARCH RESULTS FOR Choppergate">{{cite news|title=SEARCH RESULTS FOR Choppergate|url=http://indiatoday.intoday.in/advanced_search.jsp?searchword=Choppergate&searchtype=text&search_type=article|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151017151646/http://indiatoday.intoday.in/advanced_search.jsp?searchword=Choppergate&searchtype=text&search_type=article|url-status=dead|archive-date=17 October 2015|accessdate=4 March 2013|newspaper=India Today}}</ref> Several Indian Congress politicians and military officials were accused of accepting bribes from AgustaWestland in order to win the {{INRConvert|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.<ref name=hindu>{{cite news |last= Kumar|first= Vinay|title=Chopper scam: Long-drawn legal battle ahead |url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/chopper-scam-longdrawn-legal-battle-ahead/article4428630.ece |work= The Hindu |date= 18 February 2013 |accessdate=25 February 2013 |location=Chennai, India}}</ref> Ahmed Patel, political secretary to Congress President Sonia Gandhi, is alleged by Italian prosecutors to have received kickbacks from the deal.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/does-ap-mean-ahmed-patel-asks-prosecutor-in-italy-court-middleman-says-dont-know/|title=Does AP mean Ahmed Patel, asks prosecutor in Italy court; middleman says don't know|date=10 January 2014|work=The Indian Express}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/north/story/agustawestland-vvip-chopper-scam-note-sonia-gandhi-manmohan-singh-179375-2014-02-02|title=Sonia Gandhi, PM tainted by chopper scam as note reveals Agusta was advised to target top leaders to win contract|date=2 February 2014 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/agustawestland-scam-has-upa-subverted-india-into-a-kleptocracy-asks-jaitley/449527-37-64.html|archive-url=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|url-status=dead|archive-date=2014-02-21|title=AgustaWestland scam: Has UPA subverted India into a kleptocracy, asks Jaitley|work=News18}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.firstpost.com/india/target-sonia-her-key-advisers-middleman-told-agustawestland-1370205.html|title='Target' Sonia, her key advisers: Middleman told AgustaWestland|author=FP Staff|date=2 February 2014|work=Firstpost}}</ref> On 8 January 2018, the third Court of Appeals of Milan acquitted the defendants on all charges<ref name="reuters">{{Cite web |url=https://in.reuters.com/article/leonardo-india-corruption-trial/italian-court-clears-former-leonardo-bosses-in-india-corruption-case-idINKBN1EX159?il=0 |title=Reuters |access-date=9 January 2018 |archive-date=6 September 2020 |archive-url=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 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Abhay Tyagi was also accused to have received kickbacks worth ₹69,00,000.
The case continues to be investigated in India by the Indian government and the CBI.<ref name="iedec" />
==Overview== The Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) signed a contract to purchase 12 AgustaWestland AW101 helicopters in February 2010 for the Communication Squadron of 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;<ref>{{cite news |url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-orsi-finmeccanica-idUKBRE91B09K20130212 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306162026/http://uk.reuters.com/article/uk-orsi-finmeccanica-idUKBRE91B09K20130212 |url-status=dead |archive-date=6 March 2016 |title=Finmeccanica head arrested over India bribe allegations |author=Emilio Parodi and Stephen Jewkes |publisher=Reuters |date=12 February 2013}}</ref> the following day Indian Defence Minister A.K. Antony ordered a probe into the contract.<ref>{{cite news |title=VVIP chopper deal scam: Italy arrests Finmeccanica CEO, India orders CBI probe |url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/vvip-chopper-deal-scam-italy-arrests-finmeccanica-ceo-india-orders-cbi-probe_828646.html |publisher=ZEE News |date= 13 February 2013 |accessdate= 28 February 2013}}</ref>
==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."<ref>{{cite news|title=Bribes were taken in the VVIP helicopter deal, admits Defence Minister AK Antony|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/chopper-scam-helcopter-deal-was-tainted-admits-ak-antony-156967-2013-03-24|access-date=19 March 2013|newspaper=India today|date=25 March 2013}}</ref> As of June 2014, the Indian government has recovered a total amount of {{INRConvert|20.68|b}}<ref name="India recovers Rs. 1,818 crore from AgustaWestland" /> and has recovered around {{INRConvert|16.2|b}} (45% of the total contract value {{INRConvert|36|b}}) it had paid to AgustaWestland.<ref name="India Scraps Rs. 3,600 crore AgustaWestland Chopper Deal" /> * On 8 April 2016, the Milan Court of Appeal, in a 225-page judgement, overturned a lower court verdict and convicted helicopter manufacturer AgustaWestland's executive Giuseppe Orsi to four years' imprisonment for paying a €30 million bribe to Indian politicians, bureaucrats and Indian Air Force officials.<ref name="ndtv.com">{{cite web | title=CBI Seeks Italian Court's Order on AgustaWestland Graft | website=NDTV.com | date=27 April 2016 | url=http://www.ndtv.com/india-news/cbi-seeks-italian-courts-order-on-agustawestland-graft-1399825 | accessdate=3 May 2016}}</ref> * 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.<ref name="CBI arrests">{{cite news|last1=Pandey|first1=Devesh K.|title=Former Air Force chief Tyagi arrested by CBI in AgustaWestland case|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/former-air-force-chief-tyagi-arrested-by-cbi-in-agustawestland-case/article16784677.ece|accessdate=25 October 2017|work=The Hindu|date=9 December 2016|language=en-IN}}</ref> 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<ref name="reuters" /> * On 5 December 2018, Christian Michel, the alleged middleman was extradited to India from Dubai.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ohri |first1=Raghav |title=Christian Michel lands in India, to face court today |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/agustawestland-deal-middleman-christian-michel-lands-in-new-delhi/articleshow/66943452.cms |accessdate=28 February 2019 |work=The Economic Times |date=5 December 2018}}</ref> * On 31 January 2019, Another co-accused Rajeev Saxena and lobbyist Deepak Talwar were extradited to India from Dubai.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ohri |first1=Raghav |title=AgustaWestland scam co-accused Rajeev Saxena, lobbyist Deepak Talwar extradited to India |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/agustawestland-co-accused-rajeev-saxena-brought-to-india/articleshow/67761301.cms |accessdate=28 February 2019 |work=The Economic Times |date=31 January 2019}}</ref> * In April 2019 Supplementary charge-sheet filed by the Enforcement Directorate mentioned name of the three journalists including Shekhar Gupta with Raju Santhanam and Manu Pubby.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://english.newsnationtv.com/india/news/agustawestland-case-christian-michel-hired-media-advisor-to-influence-public-opinion-chargesheet-mentions-3-journalists-article-219519.html|title=AgustaWestland: Michel hired advisor to 'influence' public opinion, chargesheet mentions 3 journalists|access-date=5 November 2020|archive-date=10 July 2024|archive-url=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|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/india-news-three-journalists-mentioned-in-agustawestland-chargesheet/328135|title = Three Journalists Mentioned in AgustaWestland Chargesheet| date=5 April 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/agustawestland-chargesheet-mentions-three-journalists-119040500027_1.html|title = AgustaWestland chargesheet mentions three journalists|newspaper = Business Standard India|date = 5 April 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mynation.com/india-news/christian-michel-asked-shekhar-gupta-manu-pubby-raju-santhanam-to-influence-public-opinion-on-agustawestland-ed-pphjuo|title = Christian Michel asked Shekhar Gupta, Manu Pubby, Raju Santhanam to influence public opinion on AgustaWestland: ED}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thequint.com/news/hot-news/agustawestland-chargesheet-mentions-three-journalists|title = AgustaWestland chargesheet mentions three journalists|date = 5 April 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url = https://www.apnlive.com/agusta-westland-deal-ahmad-patel-sonia-gandhi-journalists-mentioned-ed-chargesheet/|title = Agusta Westland deal: Ahmad Patel, Sonia Gandhi, journalists mentioned in ED chargesheet - APN Live|date = 5 April 2019|access-date = 5 November 2020|archive-date = 4 December 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20211204045012/https://www.apnlive.com/agusta-westland-deal-ahmad-patel-sonia-gandhi-journalists-mentioned-ed-chargesheet/|url-status = dead}}</ref> * On 22 May 2019, Giuseppe Orsi was fully acquitted of all charges by the Italian judiciary.<ref name="defense">[https://www.defensenews.com/industry/2019/05/22/former-leonardo-ceo-gets-final-acquittal-in-helicopter-kickback-case/ Former Leonardo CEO gets final acquittal in helicopter kickback case]</ref> * 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, thus proving all accusations to be false. https://www.reuters.com/business/aerospace-defense/italy-court-acquits-consultant-india-helicopter-case-2025-07-01/
== Investigation == After a huge controversy and allegations of corruption,<ref name="Chopper Deal: BJP Attacks UPA, Says It's 'Raining Scams'">{{cite news|title=Chopper Deal: BJP Attacks UPA, Says It's 'Raining Scams'|url=http://news.outlookindia.com/items.aspx?artid=789987|accessdate=5 October 2013|date=15 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005220606/http://news.outlookindia.com/items.aspx?artid=789987|archive-date=5 October 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="St Antony needs to be decanonised">{{cite news|title=St Antony needs to be decanonised|url=http://www.firstpost.com/politics/vvip-chopper-scam-st-antony-needs-to-be-decanonised-623639.html|accessdate=5 October 2013|date=13 February 2013}}</ref> Defence Minister A.K. Antony, on 12 February 2013, ordered an investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).<ref name="CBI probe ordered">{{cite news|title=CBI probe ordered|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/cbi-probe-ordered-into-italian-chopper-deal/article4409584.ece|accessdate=5 October 2013|date=13 February 2013|location=Chennai, India|work=The Hindu|first=Vinay|last=Kumar}}</ref><ref name="Italy arrests Finmeccanica CEO, India orders CBI probe">{{cite news|title=Italy arrests Finmeccanica CEO, India orders CBI probe|url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/vvip-chopper-deal-scam-italy-arrests-finmeccanica-ceo-india-orders-cbi-probe_828646.html|accessdate=5 October 2013|date=13 February 2013}}</ref>
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.<ref name="CBI names Tyagi, cousins in PE">{{cite news|title=CBI names Tyagi, cousins in PE|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/cbi-names-tyagi-cousins-in-preliminary-enquiry/article4452467.ece|accessdate=5 October 2013|date=25 February 2013|location=Chennai, India|work=The Hindu|first=Devesh K.|last=Pandey}}</ref> 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.<ref name="CBI registers FIR against former Air Chief S.P. Tyagi">{{cite news|title=CBI registers FIR against former Air chief SP Tyagi|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/VVIP-chopper-scam-CBI-registers-FIR-against-former-Air-chief-SP-Tyagi/articleshow/18947790.cms|archive-url=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|url-status=live|archive-date=6 October 2013|access-date=5 October 2013|work=The Times of India|date=13 March 2013}}</ref><ref name="CBI files FIR against Air Force ex-chief SP Tyagi, 11 others">{{cite news|title=CBI files FIR against Air Force ex-chief SP Tyagi, 11 others|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/agustawestland-chopper-deal-cbi-files-fir-against-air-force-exchief-sp-tyagi-11-others/378469-3.html|archive-url=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|url-status=dead|archive-date=14 March 2013|accessdate=5 October 2013|date=13 March 2013}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/videos/news/Abhishek-Vermas-firm-acted-as-brokers-for-AgustaWestland/videoshow/18510668.cms|title=Times Now TV global investigation role of Abhishek Verma and his wife Anca Neacsu in 12 VVIP Chopper scandal}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Abhishek-Vermas-firm-acted-as-brokers-for-AgustaWestland/articleshow/18508189.cms|title=Times of India role of Abhishek Verma middleman in Agusta VVIP choppers}}</ref> According to the investigators, part of the bribes from AgustaWestland was sent to Abhishek's companies Atlas Defence Systems<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2006-10-20/news/27427504_1_war-room-leak-28-page-chargesheet-abhishek-verma|archive-url=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|url-status=dead|archive-date=13 May 2016|title=Atlas Defence Systems - Abhishek Verma}}</ref> 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.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/abhishek-verma-claims-retd-lt-gen-was-on-payroll/story-YbL7L3LnDzUuSEPfn7PvyH.html|title=Ganton Ltd front company of Abhishek Verma newsitem}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://indiankanoon.org/doc/175205366/|title=Ganton Limited New York is a front of Abhishek Verma controlled by his wife Anca Neacsu - Delhi High Court order}}</ref> 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 Verma<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/agustawestland-vvip-chopper-deal-a-k-anthony-manohar-parrikar-2784987/|title=MOD seeks info from Italy on Abhishek Verma's role in VVIP chopper Scam}}</ref> and his wife Anca Neacsu<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thestatesman.com/news/india/agustawestland-the-story-so-far/140717.html|title=Role of Anca Neacsu wife of Abhishek Verma in VVIP Chopper Scam identified}}</ref> in 2013 in several of his blogs and press-releases.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindusthanjanataforum.org/?p=809|title=Role of Abhishek Verma identified by Subramanian Swamy MP}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wikileaks-forum.com/corruptionanti-corruption/124/and8206the-italian-helicopter-scam-agusta-westland/17712/|title=Role of Abhishek Verma in helicopter scandal - Wikileaks|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160430091411/http://www.wikileaks-forum.com/corruptionanti-corruption/124/and8206the-italian-helicopter-scam-agusta-westland/17712|archive-date=30 April 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> Later in April 2017, the Verma couple were exonerated from these allegations of corruption by CBI Special Court of Judge Anju Bajaj Chandana.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/court-discharges-abhishek-verma-in-graft-case/articleshow/58380997.cms?from=mdr|title=Court discharges Abhishek Verma in graft case|date=2017-04-26|work=The Economic Times|access-date=2020-04-18}}</ref>
In September 2015, a special CBI court issued an open non-bailable warrant (NBW) against Christian Michel based on a CBI report that he was 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."<ref name="Open NBW Issued Against Accused UK National">{{cite news|title=Open NBW Issued Against Accused UK National|url=http://www.outlookindia.com/news/article/vvip-chopper-deal-open-nbw-issued-against-accused-uk-national/914408|accessdate=30 September 2015}}</ref> In an interview to a newspaper, he denied any wrongdoing by stating that he had never met any "Gandhi" in his life.<ref>{{cite news|title=VVIP chopper scam: Never met Sonia Gandhi in my life, says accused middleman|url=http://www.abplive.in/india-news/agustawestland-vvip-chopper-scam-never-met-sonia-gandhi-in-my-life-says-alleged-middleman-james-christian-michel-330233|agency=ABP News Bureau|publisher=ABP Live|date=27 April 2016}}</ref>
Enforcement Directorate (ED) is investigating money laundering allegations. In March 2015, the ED traced and identified the properties worth around {{INR}} 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 {{INR}} 54 lakh. In September 2015, the adjudicating authority confirmed the attachment of properties and allowed the agency to retain the properties.<ref name="First property attachment">{{cite news|title=First property attachment in AgustaWestland VVIP helicopter deal scam|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2015-09-02/news/66144110_1_christian-michel-adjudicating-authority-enforcement-directorate|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150912013403/http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2015-09-02/news/66144110_1_christian-michel-adjudicating-authority-enforcement-directorate|url-status=dead|archive-date=12 September 2015|accessdate=30 September 2015}}</ref> In September 2015, the ED attached assets worth about {{INR}} 7 crore alleged to be in the name of family members of ex-IAF Chief S. P. Tyagi.<ref name="ed-attaches-assets-of-tyagi-family">{{cite news|title=ed-attaches-assets-of-tyagi-family|url=http://www.outlookindia.com/news/article/vvip-choppers-case-ed-attaches-assets-of-tyagi-family/915149}}</ref>
The CBI and the ED have sent letters rogatory to as many as eight countries including Italy, Tunisia,<ref name="Money trail in VVIP chopper scam takes ED to UK, Switzerland">{{cite news|title=Money trail in VVIP chopper scam takes ED to UK, Switzerland|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Money-trail-in-VVIP-chopper-scam-takes-ED-to-UK-Switzerland/articleshow/48782012.cms|accessdate=30 September 2015}}</ref> Mauritius, the UAE, the UK, Switzerland, Singapore and the British Virgin Islands.<ref name="Open NBW Issued Against Accused UK National"/><ref name="CBI awaiting response from 8 countries">{{cite news|title=CBI awaiting response from 8 countries|url=http://www.dnaindia.com/money/report-agustawestland-probe-cbi-awaiting-response-from-8-countries-2084274|accessdate=30 September 2015}}</ref>
== Joint Parliamentary Committee (JPC) investigation == {{See also|Joint Parliamentary Committee}}
On 27 February 2013, UPA-II Government introduced a motion in 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.<ref name="Parliament passes JPC probe into chopper scam"/><ref name="Govt adopts motion for JPC probe, opposition walks out">{{cite news|title=Govt adopts motion for JPC probe, opposition walks out|url=http://www.firstpost.com/politics/chopper-deal-govt-adopts-motion-for-jpc-probe-opposition-walks-out-642296.html|accessdate=4 March 2013|newspaper=FirstPost|date=28 February 2013}}</ref> 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 Supreme Court-monitored investigation (on the similar lines of 2G spectrum case). Demands were also made to establish money trail and issue Letter Rogatory (LR).<ref name="Parliament passes JPC probe into chopper scam">{{cite news |title=Parliament passes JPC probe into chopper scam |url=http://www.indianexpress.com/news/parliament-passes-jpc-probe-into-chopper-scam/1080660/ |work=The Indian Express|date= 27 February 2013 |accessdate= 28 February 2013}}</ref>
The UPA government initially denied all allegations and claimed it has "nothing to hide" and that "our track record is not cover up."<ref name="Parliament passes JPC probe into chopper scam"/>
== Cancellation of the contract by the Indian Government == India cancelled the {{INR}} 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 {{INRConvert|3.6|b|lk=|year=2013}} was paid as a bribe. <ref>{{cite news|url=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 |title= Rs 3,600 crore VVIP chopper deal with AgustaWestland scrapped in view of bribery allegations | work=The Times of India | date=2 January 2014}}</ref>
== 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.<ref name="All linked to Agusta got good posts, says Manohar Parrikar">{{cite news|title=All linked to Agusta got good posts, says Manohar Parrikar|url=https://www.deccanchronicle.com/nation/current-affairs/090516/agustawestland-deal-tainted-got-plum-postings-says-manohar-parrikar.html|access-date=9 May 2016|work=Deccan Chronicle|date=9 May 2016}}</ref> 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.<ref name="All linked to Agusta got good posts, says Manohar Parrikar"/>
== CBI probe== The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) approached Union Law Ministry to record statements of M. K. Narayanan and B. V. Wanchoo in January 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/cbi-seeks-home-law-ministries-advice-to-examine-b-v-wanchoo-m-k-narayanan/|title= CBI seeks Home, Law ministries' advice to examine B V Wanchoo, M K Narayanan|date= 22 January 2014}}</ref> 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 National Security Adviser and 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 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.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/VVIP-chopper-deal-CBI-seeks-Presidents-permission-to-question-Narayanan-Wanchoo/articleshow/29177235.cms |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140125072329/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2014-01-22/india/46461322_1_service-ceiling-former-iaf-chief-cbi-move |url-status=live |archive-date=2014-01-25 |work=The Times of India |title= VVIP chopper deal: CBI seeks President's permission to question Narayanan, Wanchoo }}</ref> M. K. Narayanan and B. V. Wanchoo were questioned by CBI later in June and July 2014 respectively.<ref>{{cite news|title=CBI questions West Bengal governor M K Narayanan as witness in VVIP chopper deal|url=http://www.patrika.com/news/cbi-questions-west-bengal-governor-m-k-narayanan-as-witness-in-vvip-chopper-deal/1014633|accessdate=4 July 2014|work=Patrika Group|date=28 June 2014|archive-url=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|archive-date=14 July 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Goa Governor, Questioned By the CBI in AugustaWestland Chopper Deal, May Resign|url=http://www.patrika.com/news/goa-governor-questioned-by-the-cbi-in-augustawestland-chopper-deal-may-resign/1015948|accessdate=4 July 2014|work=Patrika Group|date=4 July 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714165008/http://www.patrika.com/news/goa-governor-questioned-by-the-cbi-in-augustawestland-chopper-deal-may-resign/1015948|archive-date=14 July 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>
==Recovery of bank guarantee== After the cancellation of the contract, India encashed over {{INRConvert|2.5|b}} made by AgustaWestland as a bank guarantee in the Indian banks in January 2014.<ref name="India encashes over Rs 250 cr bank guarantee of AgustaWestland">{{cite news|title=India encashes over Rs 250 cr bank guarantee of AgustaWestland|url=http://www.dailypioneer.com/nation/india-encashes-over-rs250-cr-bank-guarantee-of-agustawestland.html|accessdate=8 June 2014}}</ref> 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 ({{INR}} 23.64 billion).<ref>{{cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/agustawestland-deal-italy-court-rejects-indias-plea-to-recover-bank-guarantee/|title= AgustaWestland deal: Italy court rejects India's plea to recover bank guarantee|date=18 March 2014|work=The Indian Express}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ndtv.com/article/india/italy-judge-rejects-india-bid-to-recover-agustawestland-guarantees-496745|title= Italy judge rejects India bid to recover AgustaWestland guarantees|date=18 March 2014|work=NDTV}}</ref> On 17 March 2014, a request made by India was rejected by an Italian court.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Italy-judge-rejects-India-request-to-recover-AgustaWestland-guarantees-Sources/articleshow/32214505.cms |title=Italy judge rejects India request to recover AgustaWestland guarantees: Sources |date=18 March 2014 |work=The Times of India|url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20140318124406/http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Italy-judge-rejects-India-request-to-recover-AgustaWestland-guarantees-Sources/articleshow/32214505.cms |archivedate=18 March 2014 }}</ref> However, the appellate court in Milan reversed the lower court's judgement and upheld the claims of the Indian government.<ref name="India to encash 228 m Euros bank guarantees of Agusta">{{cite news|title=India to encash 228 m euros bank guarantees of Agusta|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/india-to-encash-228-m-euros-bank-guarantees-of-agusta/|accessdate=8 June 2014}}</ref> Accordingly, in June 2014, the Indian government encashed {{INRConvert|18.18|b}}, taking the total amount recovered so far to {{INRConvert|20.68|b}}.<ref name="India recovers Rs. 1,818 crore from AgustaWestland">{{cite news|title=India recovers Rs.1818 crore from AgustaWestland|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/mail-today/story/chopper-scam-india-recovers-1818-crore-from-agustawestland-196030-2014-06-07|access-date=8 June 2014}}</ref> With this, India was reported to have recovered the entire amount of around {{INRConvert|16.2|b}} (45% of the total contract value {{INRConvert|36|b}}) it had paid to AgustaWestland.<ref name="India Scraps Rs. 3,600 crore AgustaWestland Chopper Deal">{{cite news|title=India Scraps Rs. 3,600 crore AgustaWestland Chopper Deal|url=http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/India-Scraps-Rs.3600-crore-AgustaWestland-Chopper-Deal/2014/01/01/article1976905.ece|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140102205459/http://www.newindianexpress.com/nation/India-Scraps-Rs.3600-crore-AgustaWestland-Chopper-Deal/2014/01/01/article1976905.ece|url-status=dead|archive-date=2 January 2014|accessdate=8 June 2014}}</ref> However, it was later reported that AgustaWestland had not returned the entire amount, and kept €106 million for three helicopters it had delivered.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/agusta-hasnt-returned-106-million-euros-for-3-choppers-sources-to-ndtv-1400632 |title=AgustaWestland Hasn't Returned 106 Million Euros For 3 Choppers: Sources |date=29 April 2016 |work=NDTV }}</ref>
==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.<ref name="indiatoday.intoday.in">{{cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/agustawestland-chopper-scam-no-corruption-by-ex-iaf-chief-sp-tyagi-italian-court-259460-2015-06-24|title=AgustaWestland chopper scam: No corruption by ex-IAF chief SP Tyagi, says Italian court|date=24 June 2015 }}</ref> 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. <ref>{{cite web|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-others/chopper-scam-two-ex-bosses-of-finmeccanica-cleared-of-graft|title=Chopper scam: Finmeccanica ex-heads cleared of graft charge, get 2 yrs in jail|date=10 October 2014|work=The Indian Express}}</ref> 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.<ref name="ndtv.com"/>
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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://thewire.in/87655/agustawestland-finmeccanica-retrial/|title = Italy's Highest Court of Appeal Orders Retrial of Top AgustaWestland, Finmeccanica Officials}}</ref> 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<ref name="reuters" /> 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.<ref name="defense"/>
==References== {{Reflist|30em}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Indian helicopter bribery scandal, 2013}} 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