The CBI team investigating the alleged kickbacks in the VVIP helicopter deal has managed to get some documents related to the deal from the Italian authorities in Milan. One team member returned to India on Sunday morning with documents which will be examined by the CBI.
CBI sources said following the examination of these documents the agency will register a preliminary enquiry in the next few days and initiate a proper investigation. Though officials did not reveal what documents had been accessed, they said they were sufficient to lodge a PE into allegations of kickbacks of `362 crore.
The Italian authorities have promised the CBI more documents once their investigation is over. The CBI team is also hopeful of getting some papers from the Finmeccanica Group, the parent company of AgustaWestland, as it has assured assistance in probing bribery allegations against Indian nationals.
CBI officials sought from the Italian firm a report of its internal probe. The CBI team and officials from the defence and external affairs ministries had met officials of the Italian judiciary, including the judge in the case, to request assistance.