AgustaWestland Helicopter Scam : Who is Responsible?

In the deal to procure 12 VVIP helicopters, it has emerged that changes were made in the qualitative requirements in the tender in 2003.

The government promised to take strict action against the tainted even as it came under heavy opposition fire for delay in initiating a probe despite allegations of malfeasance that are at least a year old.

On Wednesday Defence Minister AK Antony promised that no one will be spared If He/She found guilty in this scam.  He said that any individual or foreigner, any firm is involved in this malpractice, nobody will be spared. We will take action against them, whatever may be the consequences.

Italian police arrested the chairman of Finmeccanica and CEO of Agusta Westland on charges because they found guilty to give bribe to middlemen to secure the Rs 3,600-crore deal with the Indian Air Force. Only three of the 12 choppers for VVIPs have been delivered, and the remaining deliveries have now been suspended.

BJP spokesperson Ravishankar Prasad said that BJP sought to link the Italian connection - Milan-headquartered Finmeccanica controls UK-based Agusta Westland - with the Congress Party's Italy-born president. The fact that it was an Italian company... was it a ground to go slow, BJP would like to know.

 The Congress in parliament, on Wednesday accused the BJP of politicising the allegations of graft in the VVIP chopper deal and 2G spectrum to raise them during the budget session from February 21.