A Delhi bench Monday reserved order on whether to take cognisance of a supplementary charge sheet against British National Christian Michel James and businessman Rajeev Saxena in the AgustaWestland chopper scam.

Special Judge Arvind Kumar reserved order for September 25 after the public prosecutor, appearing for the CBI, submitted his argument that there was enough material to proceed against both the alleged middlemen as well as 13 others in the case.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/agusta-westland-case-court-dismisses-michels-plea-on-entry-of-enforcement-directorate-cbi-into-tihar-273569">AgustaWestland case: Court dismisses Michel's plea on entry of Enforcement Directorate, CBI into Tihar jail</a>

According to sources, the probe report filed on Friday details the alleged role played by the accused in bringing bribes for politicians, bureaucrats and Indian Air Force (IAF) officials.

The sources said that the CBI, which had earlier this year sought sanction from the authorities concerned to prosecute former defence secretary Shashi Kant Sharma, has not named him as an accused since the request has not been granted yet.

The agency told the court that it may file another supplementary charge sheet in the matter later.

The first charge sheet in the case was filed in September 2017 naming former IAF chief SP Tyagi and others.

The agency had earlier told the court that during the course of investigation, copies of classified/ secret official documents of Indian Air Force (IAF)/ Ministry of Defence (MoD) such as Operational Requirements for VVIP helicopters before issuance of Request of Proposal and other incriminating documents running into more than one lakh pages received from Italy and Switzerland.

It had also said that a payment sheet&nbsp;recovered from Michel, prepared on his dictation, shows that an amount of 30 million euro was paid/ proposed to be paid to the officers of IAF, MoD, bureaucrats, politicians and family in India for showing favour in the VVIP helicopter deal.

Michel had entered into as many as five contracts through two of his firms to legitimise the illicit commission/ kickbacks on the procurement of VVIP helicopters by MoD, India, the CBI said.

An amount of 42.27 million euro was paid by the Westland Group Companies to the firms of the applicant as kickbacks/ bribes without undertaking any work against the receipt of such amount,&nbsp;it said.

It said that out of the kickbacks received from AgustaWestland, Michel further made payments to various persons in India.

Michel was taken into custody by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on December 5 last year after his extradition from Dubai, while the ED took him into custody on December 22 last year. He is currently in judicial custody in both cases.

Dubai-based businessman Saxena was extradited to India on January 31, 2019 in connection with the scam relating to the purchase of 12 VVIP helicopters from AgustaWestland.

ED had earlier arrested Saxena but he was later granted bail after the agency supported his plea to turn approver in the case.

The agencies had told the court that Michel made 24.25 million euro and 1,60,96,245 pound from the now-scrapped AgustaWestland deal.

The CBI has alleged that the deal signed in February 2010 to supply VVIP choppers worth 556.262 million euro caused an estimated loss of 398.21 million euro (about Rs 2,666 crore) to the state exchequer.&nbsp;

A Delhi bench Monday reserved order on whether to take cognisance of a supplementary charge sheet against British National Christian Michel James and businessman Rajeev Saxena in the AgustaWestland chopper scam.

A Delhi bench Monday reserved order on whether to take cognisance of a supplementary charge sheet against British National Christian Michel James and businessman Rajeev Saxena in the AgustaWestland chopper scam. Special Judge Arvind Kumar reserved order for September 25 after the public prosecutor, appearing for the CBI, submitted his argument that there was enough material to proceed against both the alleged middlemen as well as 13 others in the case. Also read | AgustaWestland case: Court dismisses Michel's plea on entry of Enforcement Directorate, CBI into Tihar jail According to sources, the probe report filed on Friday details the alleged role played by the accused in bringing bribes for politicians, bureaucrats and Indian Air Force (IAF) officials. The sources said that the CBI, which had earlier this year sought sanction from the authorities concerned to prosecute former defence secretary Shashi Kant Sharma, has not named him as an accused since the request has not been granted yet. The agency told the court that it may file another supplementary charge sheet in the matter later. The first charge sheet in the case was filed in September 2017 naming former IAF chief SP Tyagi and others. The agency had earlier told the court that during the course of investigation, copies of classified/ secret official documents of Indian Air Force (IAF)/ Ministry of Defence (MoD) such as Operational Requirements for VVIP helicopters before issuance of Request of Proposal and other incriminating documents running into more than one lakh pages received from Italy and Switzerland. It had also said that a payment sheet recovered from Michel, prepared on his dictation, shows that an amount of 30 million euro was paid/ proposed to be paid to the officers of IAF, MoD, bureaucrats, politicians and family in India for showing favour in the VVIP helicopter deal. Michel had entered into as many as five contracts through two of his firms to legitimise the illicit commission/ kickbacks on the procurement of VVIP helicopters by MoD, India, the CBI said. An amount of 42.27 million euro was paid by the Westland Group Companies to the firms of the applicant as kickbacks/ bribes without undertaking any work against the receipt of such amount, it said. It said that out of the kickbacks received from AgustaWestland, Michel further made payments to various persons in India. Michel was taken into custody by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) on December 5 last year after his extradition from Dubai, while the ED took him into custody on December 22 last year. He is currently in judicial custody in both cases. Dubai-based businessman Saxena was extradited to India on January 31, 2019 in connection with the scam relating to the purchase of 12 VVIP helicopters from AgustaWestland. ED had earlier arrested Saxena but he was later granted bail after the agency supported his plea to turn approver in the case. The agencies had told the court that Michel made 24.25 million euro and 1,60,96,245 pound from the now-scrapped AgustaWestland deal. The CBI has alleged that the deal signed in February 2010 to supply VVIP choppers worth 556.262 million euro caused an estimated loss of 398.21 million euro (about Rs 2,666 crore) to the state exchequer.

AgustaWestland Chopper scam: Court to pass order on cognisance of charge sheet on Sep 25

Businessman Ratul Puri, who is an accused in AgustaWestland money laundering case, on Thursday, approached a Delhi court seeking to surrender before it. Puri has moved an application stating that he wants to surrender before the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court.

He is already in custody of Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the Moser Baer bank fraud case.

Yesterday, a Delhi Court dismissed the petition moved by Puri seeking cancellation of a non-bailable warrant (NBW) issued against him in a money laundering case connected to Rs 3,600-crore AgustaWestland VVIP chopper scam.

On August 9, Special Judge Arvind Kumar had allowed a plea of the ED, seeking issuance of an NBW against Puri.

The agency had accused him of not joining the probe despite several summonses.

Puri, a nephew of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath, had on August 16 filed the plea for cancellation of the NBW by contending that he is willing to join the probe.

The case pertains to alleged irregularities in the purchase of 12 VVIP choppers from Italy-based Finmeccanica's British subsidiary AgustaWestland.

The deal was scrapped by the NDA government in 2014 over the alleged breach of contractual obligations and charges of payment of kickbacks.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

Businessman Ratul Puri, who is an accused in AgustaWestland money laundering case, on Thursday, approached a Delhi court seeking to surrender before it. Puri has moved an application stating that he wants to surrender before the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court.

Businessman Ratul Puri, who is an accused in AgustaWestland money laundering case, on Thursday, approached a Delhi court seeking to surrender before it. Puri has moved an application stating that he wants to surrender before the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) court. He is already in custody of Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the Moser Baer bank fraud case. Yesterday, a Delhi Court dismissed the petition moved by Puri seeking cancellation of a non-bailable warrant (NBW) issued against him in a money laundering case connected to Rs 3,600-crore AgustaWestland VVIP chopper scam. On August 9, Special Judge Arvind Kumar had allowed a plea of the ED, seeking issuance of an NBW against Puri. The agency had accused him of not joining the probe despite several summonses. Puri, a nephew of Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Kamal Nath, had on August 16 filed the plea for cancellation of the NBW by contending that he is willing to join the probe. The case pertains to alleged irregularities in the purchase of 12 VVIP choppers from Italy-based Finmeccanica's British subsidiary AgustaWestland. The deal was scrapped by the NDA government in 2014 over the alleged breach of contractual obligations and charges of payment of kickbacks.

AgustaWestland scam: Ratul Puri moves application in CBI court for surrendering

A Delhi court on Saturday sent AgustaWestland scam accused and lawyer Gautam Khaitan to two-day Enforcement Directorate (ED) custody in fresh case of holding black money and money laundering.

Earlier, ED told Patiala House Court that they needed Khaitan's custody for questioning.&nbsp;

"He is running less of a law firm and more of a money laundering business. We need to ask questions. This custody is necessary," ED reportedly told the court.&nbsp;

ED arrested Khaitan, accused in the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper case, in connection with a fresh case of possession of black money and money laundering on Friday.

Khaitan was placed under arrest Friday night by the agency sleuths under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), ED said.

Sources said a fresh criminal case under the PMLA was filed by the ED against Khaitan on the basis of a case filed by the Income Tax Department against him under Section 51 of the Black Money (Undisclosed Foreign Income and Assets) and Imposition of Tax Act, 2015. 
&nbsp;

A Delhi court on Saturday sent AgustaWestland scam accused and lawyer Gautam Khaitan to two-day Enforcement Directorate (ED) custody in fresh case of holding black money and money laundering.

A Delhi court on Saturday sent AgustaWestland scam accused and lawyer Gautam Khaitan to two-day Enforcement Directorate (ED) custody in fresh case of holding black money and money laundering. Earlier, ED told Patiala House Court that they needed Khaitan's custody for questioning. "He is running less of a law firm and more of a money laundering business. We need to ask questions. This custody is necessary," ED reportedly told the court. ED arrested Khaitan, accused in the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper case, in connection with a fresh case of possession of black money and money laundering on Friday. Khaitan was placed under arrest Friday night by the agency sleuths under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), ED said. Sources said a fresh criminal case under the PMLA was filed by the ED against Khaitan on the basis of a case filed by the Income Tax Department against him under Section 51 of the Black Money (Undisclosed Foreign Income and Assets) and Imposition of Tax Act, 2015.

Delhi court sends AgustaWestland scam accused Gautam Khaitan to 2-day ED custody 

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/agustawestland-scam-christian-michel-named-mrs-gandhi-son-of-italian-lady-in-probe-ed-tells-court-187221">AgustaWestland scam: Christian Michel named 'Mrs Gandhi', 'son of Italian lady' in </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/agustawestland-scam-christian-michel-named-mrs-gandhi-son-of-italian-lady-in-probe-ed-tells-court-187221">probe</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/agustawestland-scam-christian-michel-named-mrs-gandhi-son-of-italian-lady-in-probe-ed-tells-court-187221">, ED tells </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/agustawestland-scam-christian-michel-named-mrs-gandhi-son-of-italian-lady-in-probe-ed-tells-court-187221">court</a>

In a big development just before the election season kicks in India in 2019, Christian Michel the man who was the key middleman in the Rs 3600 crore &nbsp;AgustaWestland VVIP chopper scam has taken the name of Mrs Gandhi during interrogation by enforcement directorate (ED), though the reference wasn't clear.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/meghalaya-miners-rescue-indian-navy-divers-arrive-at-site-join-operations-187204">Meghalaya miners rescue: Indian Navy divers arrive at </a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/meghalaya-miners-rescue-indian-navy-divers-arrive-at-site-join-operations-187204">site</a><a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/meghalaya-miners-rescue-indian-navy-divers-arrive-at-site-join-operations-187204">, join operations</a>

A group of Indian Navy divers arrived from Vishakhapatnam Saturday to join operations underway to rescue 15 miners trapped in a flooded rat-hole coal mine in Meghalaya since December 13, a senior official said.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/egypt-security-forces-kill-40-suspected-militants-after-giza-bus-attack-187168">Egypt security forces kill 40 suspected militants after Giza bus attack</a>

Egyptian police killed 40 "terrorists" in separate raids early Saturday, a day after a roadside bomb near the Giza pyramids killed three Vietnamese tourists and their guide, the interior ministry said.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/india-vs-australia-one-of-the-best-indian-bowling-attacks-that-i-have-ever-seen-says-nathan-lyon-187213">India vs Australia: One of the best Indian bowling attacks that I have ever seen, says Nathan Lyon</a>

Australia were at 258 for eight at stumps on the fourth day of the third Test against India in Melbourne. India set a target of 399 after the visitors declared their second innings at 106 for eight.&nbsp;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/south-asia/bangladesh-deploys-600000-security-forces-ahead-of-elections-187152">Bangladesh polls: Around 600,000 security personnel deployed ahead of Sunday elections</a>

Bangladesh stepped up security Saturday in a bid to contain violence during a general election expected to see Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina win a record fourth term.

&nbsp;

AgustaWestland scam: Christian Michel named 'Mrs Gandhi', 'son of Italian lady' in probe, ED tells court In a big development just before the election season kicks in India in 2019, Christian Michel the man who was the key middleman in the Rs 3600 crore AgustaWestland VVIP chopper scam has taken the name of Mrs Gandhi during interrogation by enforcement directorate (ED), though the reference wasn't clear.

AgustaWestland scam: Christian Michel named 'Mrs Gandhi', 'son of Italian lady' in probe, ED tells court In a big development just before the election season kicks in India in 2019, Christian Michel the man who was the key middleman in the Rs 3600 crore AgustaWestland VVIP chopper scam has taken the name of Mrs Gandhi during interrogation by enforcement directorate (ED), though the reference wasn't clear. Meghalaya miners rescue: Indian Navy divers arrive at site, join operations A group of Indian Navy divers arrived from Vishakhapatnam Saturday to join operations underway to rescue 15 miners trapped in a flooded rat-hole coal mine in Meghalaya since December 13, a senior official said. Egypt security forces kill 40 suspected militants after Giza bus attack Egyptian police killed 40 "terrorists" in separate raids early Saturday, a day after a roadside bomb near the Giza pyramids killed three Vietnamese tourists and their guide, the interior ministry said. India vs Australia: One of the best Indian bowling attacks that I have ever seen, says Nathan Lyon Australia were at 258 for eight at stumps on the fourth day of the third Test against India in Melbourne. India set a target of 399 after the visitors declared their second innings at 106 for eight. Bangladesh polls: Around 600,000 security personnel deployed ahead of Sunday elections Bangladesh stepped up security Saturday in a bid to contain violence during a general election expected to see Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina win a record fourth term.

News brief: Big stories of the day

In a big development just before the election season kicks in India in 2019, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/india-news/16-fugitive-extradited-back-to-india-in-last-4-years-5-in-2018-187061">Christian Michel the man who was the key </a>middleman in the Rs 3600 crore&nbsp; AgustaWestland VVIP chopper scam has taken the name of Mrs Gandhi during interrogation by enforcement directorate (ED), though the reference wasn't clear.&nbsp;

The ED counsel had shared the information at Delhi's Patiala court during the plea to extend his custody. He has spoken about the "son of the Italian lady" &nbsp;and how he is going to become the “next prime minister of the country.&nbsp;

Other than that he said, "Big man R" which ED still has to decipher and will be confronting him on that.&nbsp;

The ED highlighted how Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) was removed from the deal and it was offered to Tata.&nbsp;

ED also sought to ban Michel's lawyer's access to him alleging he is being tutored from outside after they found that he was giving chits to them.

Reacting to it, Michel’s lawyer Aljo K Joseph said, "We don’t dispute that he (Christian Michel) had handed us the papers, but it’s the fault of the ED that they allowed it to happen."

ED has got 7-day custody of Michel.&nbsp;

The revelations by Michel is considered as a big political bombshell with Congress facing the heat. Congress's RPN Singh said, "there is pressure on Michel to name a particular family".&nbsp;

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RPN Singh Congress on ED says Christian Michel has taken the name of "Mrs Gandhi": There is pressure on Michel to name a particular family, why is the chowkidaar trying to pressurize the govt agencies to name a family? BJP script writers are working over time. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Agustawestland?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Agustawestland</a> <a href="https://t.co/qCxYeObJYN">pic.twitter.com/qCxYeObJYN</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1078951959976206337?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 29, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Hours after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) disclosed that Christian Michel took the name of “Mrs Gandhi” during interrogation, Union Minister Prakash Javadekar alleged that the Congress regime was a government of corruption that compromised with national security.

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Union Min Prakash Javadekar on ED says Christian Michel spoke about 'son of Italian lady': Revelations by ED show that there is ‘son of Italian lady’,‘big man’&amp;‘R’ involved. It points towards a family. Congress govt was a govt of corruption that compromised with national security <a href="https://t.co/LqGRuSGoDv">pic.twitter.com/LqGRuSGoDv</a>
— ANI (@ANI) <a href="https://twitter.com/ANI/status/1078980179425320960?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 29, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Christian Michel, a British national, was extradited from UAE early this month. UK has been seeking consular access which CBI has in principle approved but still not given the day.&nbsp;

Reacting to extradition of Michel, PM Modi speaking at a rally had said, "Under the regime of United Progressive Alliance (UPA), a VVIP chopper scam took place. After we came to power, an investigation was conducted into it and one person from Dubai was found (allegedly) guilty for his involvement in the case. Now this 'raazdaar' (custodian of secrets) will reveal all the secrets".

Clearly, it might be cold in Delhi, but political temperatures are rising.

In a big development just before the election season kicks in India in 2019, Christian Michel the man who was the key middleman in the Rs 3600 crore AgustaWestland VVIP chopper scam has taken the name of Mrs Gandhi during interrogation by enforcement directorate (ED), though the reference wasn't clear.

In a big development just before the election season kicks in India in 2019, Christian Michel the man who was the key middleman in the Rs 3600 crore AgustaWestland VVIP chopper scam has taken the name of Mrs Gandhi during interrogation by enforcement directorate (ED), though the reference wasn't clear. The ED counsel had shared the information at Delhi's Patiala court during the plea to extend his custody. He has spoken about the "son of the Italian lady" and how he is going to become the “next prime minister of the country. Other than that he said, "Big man R" which ED still has to decipher and will be confronting him on that. The ED highlighted how Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) was removed from the deal and it was offered to Tata. ED also sought to ban Michel's lawyer's access to him alleging he is being tutored from outside after they found that he was giving chits to them. Reacting to it, Michel’s lawyer Aljo K Joseph said, "We don’t dispute that he (Christian Michel) had handed us the papers, but it’s the fault of the ED that they allowed it to happen." ED has got 7-day custody of Michel. The revelations by Michel is considered as a big political bombshell with Congress facing the heat. Congress's RPN Singh said, "there is pressure on Michel to name a particular family". RPN Singh Congress on ED says Christian Michel has taken the name of "Mrs Gandhi": There is pressure on Michel to name a particular family, why is the chowkidaar trying to pressurize the govt agencies to name a family? BJP script writers are working over time. #Agustawestland pic.twitter.com/qCxYeObJYN — ANI (@ANI) December 29, 2018 × Hours after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) disclosed that Christian Michel took the name of “Mrs Gandhi” during interrogation, Union Minister Prakash Javadekar alleged that the Congress regime was a government of corruption that compromised with national security. Union Min Prakash Javadekar on ED says Christian Michel spoke about 'son of Italian lady': Revelations by ED show that there is ‘son of Italian lady’,‘big man’&‘R’ involved. It points towards a family. Congress govt was a govt of corruption that compromised with national security pic.twitter.com/LqGRuSGoDv — ANI (@ANI) December 29, 2018 × Christian Michel, a British national, was extradited from UAE early this month. UK has been seeking consular access which CBI has in principle approved but still not given the day. Reacting to extradition of Michel, PM Modi speaking at a rally had said, "Under the regime of United Progressive Alliance (UPA), a VVIP chopper scam took place. After we came to power, an investigation was conducted into it and one person from Dubai was found (allegedly) guilty for his involvement in the case. Now this 'raazdaar' (custodian of secrets) will reveal all the secrets". Clearly, it might be cold in Delhi, but political temperatures are rising.

AgustaWestland scam: Christian Michel named 'Mrs Gandhi', 'son of Italian lady' in probe, ED tells court

Former Italian prime minister Enrico Letta, on whose watch India cancelled the scam-tainted AgustaWestland helicopter deal, said that the defence scandal hurt the competitiveness of Italian companies.

Speaking exclusively to WION in New Delhi, Letta said that the underlying message in all his contacts with India was that the independence of the judiciary has to be respected.

The AgustaWestland helicopter scam came to light a few weeks before Letta's inauguration as Italy's prime minister.

At the time, Letta said he also had to deal with the fallout of the "Enrica Lexie" case, involving the arrest of two Italian navy personnel who were jailed for the killing of two Indian fishermen.&nbsp;

Here are the excerpts from the interview:

WION: The AgustaWestland helicopter scam came to light a few weeks before your government came to power. What kind of interactions did you or your ministers have with the Indian counterparts on the AgustaWestland helicopter scam?

Enrico Letta: It was simple and clear. We respect the independence of judges. They have an independent way. And the decision at the end of it all was a positive one. I am happy that we respected the decision. But it was a big problem for Italian competitiveness. The Italian companies lost a lot from this situation. But at the end of the day, respect for the independence of the judiciary is the best way. That is why I dealt it with this mood. With my Indian counterparts, it was a very clean approach and a very constructive one at that at the end, the decision was best for all, especially Italy and India and the competitiveness of both countries.

WION: India cancelled the AgustaWestland helicopter contract in January 2014. At the time, you were the prime minister of Italy. Do you recall any conversation you or your ministers might have had with the Indian government or agencies about the scam?

Enrico Letta: No, because it happened at the end of my period.

WION: But India cancelled the contract in January and you demitted office in February. So you were the head of the government at the time...

Enrico Letta: But the key point is that I always said in all contacts with the Indian authorities that we think the independence of justice is fundamental and it has to be preserved, even if there was the other case involving the Italian marines. India and Italy are two big powers. We have to cooperate. We have to work together. I always tried to give that idea. The bilateral cooperation has to continue because we are two big countries. I hope now the situation is better. I hope that in future the cooperation will grow. I am sure that these words can help.

WION: The AgustaWestland helicopter scam is one of the many scams bedevilling the Indian polity. There is a need for closure in this scam. What kind of cooperation or collaboration does Italy envisage to help bring closure to India?

Enrico Letta: We cannot consider that this is the only topic of the India-Italy relationship. India and Italy are members of G20. They are two important countries, especially when it comes to manufacturing and cultural prowess. I hope that my visit will contribute to the ties.

Former Italian prime minister Enrico Letta, on whose watch India cancelled the scam-tainted AgustaWestland helicopter deal, said that the defence scandal hurt the competitiveness of Italian companies.

Former Italian prime minister Enrico Letta, on whose watch India cancelled the scam-tainted AgustaWestland helicopter deal, said that the defence scandal hurt the competitiveness of Italian companies. Speaking exclusively to WION in New Delhi, Letta said that the underlying message in all his contacts with India was that the independence of the judiciary has to be respected. The AgustaWestland helicopter scam came to light a few weeks before Letta's inauguration as Italy's prime minister. At the time, Letta said he also had to deal with the fallout of the "Enrica Lexie" case, involving the arrest of two Italian navy personnel who were jailed for the killing of two Indian fishermen. Here are the excerpts from the interview: WION: The AgustaWestland helicopter scam came to light a few weeks before your government came to power. What kind of interactions did you or your ministers have with the Indian counterparts on the AgustaWestland helicopter scam? Enrico Letta: It was simple and clear. We respect the independence of judges. They have an independent way. And the decision at the end of it all was a positive one. I am happy that we respected the decision. But it was a big problem for Italian competitiveness. The Italian companies lost a lot from this situation. But at the end of the day, respect for the independence of the judiciary is the best way. That is why I dealt it with this mood. With my Indian counterparts, it was a very clean approach and a very constructive one at that at the end, the decision was best for all, especially Italy and India and the competitiveness of both countries. WION: India cancelled the AgustaWestland helicopter contract in January 2014. At the time, you were the prime minister of Italy. Do you recall any conversation you or your ministers might have had with the Indian government or agencies about the scam? Enrico Letta: No, because it happened at the end of my period. WION: But India cancelled the contract in January and you demitted office in February. So you were the head of the government at the time... Enrico Letta: But the key point is that I always said in all contacts with the Indian authorities that we think the independence of justice is fundamental and it has to be preserved, even if there was the other case involving the Italian marines. India and Italy are two big powers. We have to cooperate. We have to work together. I always tried to give that idea. The bilateral cooperation has to continue because we are two big countries. I hope now the situation is better. I hope that in future the cooperation will grow. I am sure that these words can help. WION: The AgustaWestland helicopter scam is one of the many scams bedevilling the Indian polity. There is a need for closure in this scam. What kind of cooperation or collaboration does Italy envisage to help bring closure to India? Enrico Letta: We cannot consider that this is the only topic of the India-Italy relationship. India and Italy are members of G20. They are two important countries, especially when it comes to manufacturing and cultural prowess. I hope that my visit will contribute to the ties.

AgustaWestland scam hurt competitiveness of Italian companies: Ex-PM Letta to WION

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