Italy firm chief held for India chopper bribes: reports


Feb 12 (Reuters) : The head of Italian defence group Finmeccanica was  arrested on Tuesday in a corruption probe centred on the sale of helicopters to the Indian government, a judicial source said.

Earlier a report on the online version of Corriere della Sera newspaper said Finmeccanica chief executive and chairman Giuseppe Orsi had been arrested for bribes allegedly paid to secure the sale of 12 helicopters to India.

A spokesman for Finmeccanica was not immediately able to comment. The source said that three other people had been placed under house arrest as part of the probe, including the chief executive of Finmeccanica helicopter unit AgustaWestland, Bruno Spagnolini.

Orsi has always denied wrongdoing over a corruption probe looking at a 560 million euro ($749.2 million) Indian helicopter contract.

State-controlled Finmeccanica has previously said it has always done business in India through official channels. Italy's corporate class has been shaken recently by a series of corruption cases, notably a derivatives scandal at Banca Monte dei Paschi and an alleged bribery case involving oil service group Saipem.

The latest series of scandals have become an issue in Italy's campaign for parliamentary elections to be held on February 24-25.
   
Meanwhile, reacting to the arrest of Finmeccanica's head Giuseppe Orsi in Italy, India said Italy has not shared details of a corruption probe into the sale of helicopters to the Indian government.

"We had asked the government of Italy through our mission in Rome for details of the investigation but were told that it is a judicial process and the government of Italy is unable to share any information," foreign ministry spokesman Syed Akbaruddin said. "That remains the position even today."
   
India's defence ministry said it could not immediately comment. The 560 million euros ($735 million) deal was to sell 12 high-security AgustaWestland choppers for use by India's political leaders. The first helicopters were due to be delivered by December 2012.

  

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Comment on this article

  • SHETTY, INDIA

    Wed, Feb 13 2013

    Joseph F. Gonsalves, Bannur, Puttur / Mangalore...... BLOOD KHARAZDAAR is Indira Ghandhi in punjab riots.....still no any enquiry....Modi has proven again in punchayat elections he has clean swipped that also in the place where more MUSLIMS are staying......people of gujart specially muslims knows who is good & whom they want....people like you joseph,pinto,SONIA or charles playing a mind game ....trying to add poison...

    DisAgree [1] Agree [7] Reply Report Abuse

  • Joseph F. Gonsalves, Bannur, Puttur / Mangalore

    Wed, Feb 13 2013

    MODI IS NOT A SARDAR.
    HE IS BLOOD KHARAZDAAR

    DisAgree [10] Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • kumar, Banglore/mangalore

    Wed, Feb 13 2013

    Hi folks,
    I don’t understand why people in this forum fight for each issue saying Congress, BJP, Left etc etc.We should all know these hatred and division in society is created by politics and media. They may blame each other for many things but end of the day all parties are same and they are rabid dogs.But one should agree to the fact that during this UPA regime , the number of scams which are come out is mindboggling. Our nation has been looted left, right and centre right under our nose. As long as people like us vote for these idiots, things will never change and unfortunately we don’t have any alternative candidate to vote.

    DisAgree [2] Agree [1] Reply Report Abuse

  • jeevan, Mangalore

    Wed, Feb 13 2013

    ONLY SARDAR MODIJI CAN SAVE OUR NATION....

    DisAgree [4] Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • abutalmiz, mlr/ksa

    Wed, Feb 13 2013

    The government of India owes an explanation on the matter as the deals was not a peanut one that has been dealt and not even smell by the concern portfolio authorities. Such scandals are happening under the noses of high govt officials but pretend like blind, dumb and deaf.
    The country which would have benefited from the deal has taken action (God knows well the motive behind this action) while the country which lost money has not done anything,

    DisAgree Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • Vincy, Bangkok

    Wed, Feb 13 2013

    Dear,please ask voters to come out of Bars and vote against dancers.I hope this wil save Uma-Sushma going again for hair cut agaisnt UPA chairperson.

    DisAgree [11] Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • Vincy, Bangkok

    Wed, Feb 13 2013

    Dear Shetty, Poojary, you should know that crores of reserved funds for the defense is returned every year .The reasons are simple. They do not buy many items which are proposed earlier because of the watchdogs everywhere since the time of NDA –Thehelka expose.This expose took place only because honest person like Antony took interests to check on the Defense deals .
    India buys helicopters for defense for VVIP movements. They are used both for Advani security or President’s security. You simply comment because Sushma and Nitin makes big noises now and then. If CAG was right then why Raja is back home. Why the HC and SC let them go home? Why Reddy is in Jail. Why Eddy withdraws and starts a new company? Why not HC and SC issue notice to the UPA? The so called opposition suhsma, Jaitley, Ram jetmalani are the top lawyers of country and they can sue Sonia or Antony or anybody in UPA. All these news are just half stories, you will know who is where in 2014 elections.Do you say that HC and SC is controlled by UPA?
    Someone raise a question why not subsidy on LPG Gas? First ask the people pay taxes and then you ask them to subsidize the gas supply to the poor. The 9 cylinders are sufficient for any family for one year. If you need more then you pay for it. Why the tax payers money should be wasted on cylinders that end up used in Bars and restaurants.

    DisAgree [13] Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Shetty, INDIA

    Wed, Feb 13 2013

    I dont know why people still dont understand.....this Ghandhi family has fooled the people of india from long time by playing politics ,Killing their own son or husband for power what we can expect from such people .we people should wake up its our money there is a limit otherwise sonia will sell india .....

    DisAgree [1] Agree [19] Reply Report Abuse

  • Saleem, Mangalore

    Wed, Feb 13 2013

    Now what sort of punishment we wait for this corrupt people? Desh bakti, desh preme all this are natak. They are worse then prostitutes. If they can make money, they can sell thier mothers in open .

    DisAgree [1] Agree [8] Reply Report Abuse

  • V.Shetty, Iran

    Wed, Feb 13 2013

    Rajiv gandhi Bofores scam now Sonia gandhi Finmecchanica Chopper scam.

    DisAgree [1] Agree [15] Reply Report Abuse

  • Dinesh Poojary, Kundapura/Bengaluru

    Wed, Feb 13 2013

    Vincy, Bangkok

    Bar dancer is Sonia. BAR DANCE not shown live in TV. Rajiv Gandhi had seen that LIVE PERFORMANCE and fell to that dancer.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [22] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sachidanand Shetty, Mundkur/Dubai

    Wed, Feb 13 2013

    Dear Vincy from Bangkok, Gerald from Modankap, Jossey Saldanha from Mapusa & Jacob Nelson from Bejai, just for few minutes forget about the Party you support and stand in front of the mirror and ask yourselves that “Is our Politicians worth few Crores to fly on 300 Crores of Helicopters?” Be brave enough to condemn the corruption in Indian Politics irrespective of Party you support. Almost on monthly basis one by one skeleton are tumbling from Congress Party’s cupboard now a day. Still you show patriotic towards most corrupt Party of India? We have no problem with your attitude or gratitude towards BJP Party but at least keep quite when you hear something valid corruption charges against Congress Party. Today we have to shoulder our Country to fight against corrupt Politicians to stop siphoning funds to foreign country by depriving lively hood of Poor Indians. When our India Politicians makes corruption like this, do we need FDI in India? They do not have funds to subsidize the LPG Gas Cylinders to Indian Citizens but they need 300 Crores worth of Helicopters?

    DisAgree [4] Agree [22] Reply Report Abuse

  • Vincy, Bangkok

    Wed, Feb 13 2013

    Who is Bar Dancer?. I have seen only Sushma dancing on TV news.

    DisAgree [23] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • Vincy, Bangkok

    Wed, Feb 13 2013

    Many who comment here have no time or no brain to read and understand the content of the article. The defense officials are not elected UPA members. They demand commissions on every defense deal and this delays every process to acquire anything that is important for the Army, Navy and Air force.
    Why you blame the UPA chairperson, it is your brothers and sisters who have voted this Sonia Gandhi because they know that, Advani,Uma, Sushma,Jaya, Jetly,are not worth to be leaders

    DisAgree [22] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Vincy, Bangkok

    Wed, Feb 13 2013

    This was the outcome for the probe ordered by the UPA led by Antony .The probe was ordered by the Indian government that, the Indian Army Brigadier and Indian Air force officials involved in the shady deal. It is nothing to do with Sonia, Antony or UPA government. And the same time if the old helicopter would have crashed ... the Article would read ... "Money not spent on upgrading technology at right time" .We can’t blame the government if the army, navy, airforce officials are corrupt.

    People ask commissions on coffins brought for the Army Martyrs in Cargill war so anything can happen in India. The people of India have have both short term and long term memory loss syndrome.Tehelka tapes reveal the correct information on how the corruption involved during NDA.

    DisAgree [26] Agree [3] Reply Report Abuse

  • Tomas Richard, Udupi

    Wed, Feb 13 2013

    Italian Mafia is looting our country...Alas this case will be buried like Bofors...Dont expect anything until we get independant CBI & Judiciary...not while on Congress in power..

    DisAgree [4] Agree [21] Reply Report Abuse

  • mahendra shetty, mumbai,Mangalore

    Wed, Feb 13 2013

    DINESH POOJARY...YOU ROCKS REALLY BY YOUR COMMENT.....AAP EK AADMI 100 AADMI KA BARABAR HAI....THIS IS THE ANOTHER BOFORS SCANDAL BY CONGRESS....ALL GOES TO ITLIAN WAITRESS ACCOUNT.....SWISS BANK IS VERY RICH TO ITALY AND ITALIAN WAITRESS.....SHE IS THE ONE OF THE POWERFUL LADY IN THE WORLD....WE SHOULD RESPECT HER LOOT LIKE JAI ITALIAN AMMA KI...JO AADMI ABI B SUPPORT KARTE HAI YE CORRUPT CONGRESS KO USKA AUKAAD MAALUM PADTA HAI....JAI HIND

    DisAgree [3] Agree [23] Reply Report Abuse

  • jeevan, mangalore

    Wed, Feb 13 2013

    Tit for tat reply... thanks

    DisAgree [4] Agree [17] Reply Report Abuse

  • Charles D'Mello, Pangala

    Tue, Feb 12 2013

    Whoever it is...congi, BJP or any other party...has to be killed by hanging.....they are looting India and making it hell...!!!

    DisAgree [3] Agree [11] Reply Report Abuse

  • jeevan, mangalore

    Tue, Feb 12 2013

    Abba... 350 crores scam ... SC must instruct the concerned to seige the passport of Italy lady and must conduct lie detector test soon otherwise chances of flying back to italy by this helicopter... ( keep helicopter fuel tank empty )......

    DisAgree [3] Agree [18] Reply Report Abuse

  • GERALD, MODANKAP

    Tue, Feb 12 2013

    POOJARY THEN WHY THE HECK TO MARRY THE SO CALLED INDIAN CULTURIST TO MARRY A BAR DANCER WHY HE DIDNT GOT THE RIGHT GIRL IN INDIA

    DisAgree [16] Agree [2] Reply Report Abuse

  • r.t.shetty., mangalore.kodialbail.

    Tue, Feb 12 2013

    DR.MANMOHAN SINGHS UPA GOVT CREATED WORLD RECORD ON CURRUPTION.IN INDIAN HISTROY.WE DONT NEED SUCH GOVT IN FUTURE,SHAME,SHAME UPA.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [19] Reply Report Abuse

  • Rathnakara A, Shirva

    Tue, Feb 12 2013

    It is now cristal clear that bribe has been paid in this deal. Otherwise Italian Govt will not arrest the CEO of such a big company. Anyone who is supporting corruption where tax payers money is just like a anti national and terrorist. Whether BJP or Congress doesnt matter. Why the congress government is not acted till now? People are talking about Yeddi reddi etc. Why cant congress not acting on these people? Why they have not acted against YSR? only when his son left congress these people came to know about corruption? Let congress act against Vadra, Sheila, Chidu, Yeddi, Iswarappa,Gadkari etc? Why the govt is ive? This government is totally corrupt, Idont think Congress will get 10 seats in 2014!(Ismail, Jossey, Gerald, Lydia, MYdia, Henry, Misqith, Bisqith, Rodrigues, Shanawaz, noorulla, innorulla... Please love India not corrupt people and corrupt govt)

    DisAgree [2] Agree [19] Reply Report Abuse

  • Jossey Saldanha, Mangalore/Mapusa/Mumbai

    Tue, Feb 12 2013

    Let the investigation unfold and we will know if Vajpaee/Advani/Sonia or Gadkari took home the loot......

    DisAgree [26] Agree [5] Reply Report Abuse

  • C Sharath, Mangalore

    Tue, Feb 12 2013

    Dr S kamath , Mumbai
    One proverb" You can wake a person who is in deep sleep, but cannot wake someone who is acting to be sleeping". For all what is happening, for all the anaachara by the SAIDHANTHIKA rich party these people have below 6 justificstions to give.

    1. Yeddi & chaddi gangs jail saga.
    2. Reddy's Mine mansion.
    3. Nithin Ghadkari's Mota maal
    4. Malegaon Blast,Samjutha blast,mecca blast.
    5. Advani calling Jinna secular
    6. NDA exchanging terrorists against kandhahar Hijack victims lives.
    Another 100 years also am sure they will give same 6 reasons as we go backwards in time, if India exisits in the world map, thanks to our leaders.

    DisAgree [11] Agree [17] Reply Report Abuse

  • jacobnelson, BEJAI

    Tue, Feb 12 2013

    It's paid while BJP ruling the centre GOVT.

    DisAgree [27] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Dr S kamath , Mumbai

    Tue, Feb 12 2013

    Dear
    ISMAIL.K.PERINJE, PERINJE-YANBU/KSA with Due respect to you what esle proof you need the Main kingpin of this Scam is Mr Abhishek Verma who is behind bars now .He is the Son of one of the Congress s Ex MP .Most importantly this is a very recent scam of Chopper Purchase for Defense and Delhi Police .Now the Italian Govt has acted and arrested Finmeccanica chief utive and chairman Giuseppe Ors.Why the Italian Govt arrested ? Because the American Businessman Mr Edmond Allen had written against him both to Govt of India and Italian Govt .Italian Govt acted Fast .Indian Govt is slow .There are many faces behind Mr Abhishek Verma who need to be exposed .I appreciate your swami nistha towards Congress but please dont be so much ignorant

    DisAgree [3] Agree [25] Reply Report Abuse

  • ISMAIL.K.PERINJE, PERINJE-YANBU/KSA

    Tue, Feb 12 2013

    Jeevan,Dinesh....Just wait who are behind this corruption scandal.In every purchase there are lobbies/agent /intermediaries.There should be commission for them.It is reality and all purchase will go like this be it NDA or UPA.But the point is is any Indian politicians or officials involved in this episode that should be looked in to .India can cancel this agreement if so.Wait for all details and if any UPA politicians involved in this scam I should comment on this.By the by You guy's Party BJP's National two President are caught on camera while accepting bribe and another one hurt and retired for fraud.Here in Karnataka, on record then reigning CM was jailed for corruptions...What else you guys need to know!! These are established cases and roaming those stalwarts BJP Court to VAKil's office.

    DisAgree [34] Agree [4] Reply Report Abuse

  • Peter Pereira, Pune

    Tue, Feb 12 2013

    Jeevan Bhai, what about Ghatikari ? Congress was assosiated with him in his loot ?

    DisAgree [31] Agree [6] Reply Report Abuse

  • Don Amnon, Lower Bendoor, Mangalore

    Tue, Feb 12 2013

    It is another atom Bomb to BJP 's kitty. Singh is King. CAPITAL NAGESH ROCKING.

    DisAgree [3] Agree [13] Reply Report Abuse

  • V.Shetty, Iran

    Tue, Feb 12 2013

    This shows that indian government and italy government is involved in corruption.Wether Congress and Sonia received any part of the bribe need to be investigated.

    DisAgree [4] Agree [21] Reply Report Abuse

  • rajesh, mulki

    Tue, Feb 12 2013

    Dear party aligned commentators
    (both cong and bjp ) when you will realise that our political and administrative system is filled with currupt people irrespective of cong or bjp...
    and everyday a new leader or officer joins the system with the intention of making money ..how many of you fight curruption or at least do not become a part of it in your daily life...??

    DisAgree [1] Agree [22] Reply Report Abuse

  • C SHarath, Mangalore

    Tue, Feb 12 2013

    I guess Giuseppe Orsi is new age Ottavio Quattrocchi. If Govt allows (which is highely unlikely) Robbervadra's dealing might unearth now in this case.

    Congress Nadige..deshadha sampatthu Italy kadege.

    Baaki sab Teek Hai.

    DisAgree [14] Agree [32] Reply Report Abuse

  • jai, kateel

    Tue, Feb 12 2013

    cant blame the Italian looter from abroad unless we drive italian queen of delhi out
    This is the reason why we the people of India are paying high taxes and in spite of that we are chocked with price hikes!!!!

    DisAgree [12] Agree [24] Reply Report Abuse

  • jeevan, Mangalore

    Tue, Feb 12 2013

    Peter Pereira, Pune

    Noted your comments.. let us forget italy firm.. come to iron ore.. do you know who was behind Reddy.. Late Rajshekar Reddy was business partner ( congi CM ) who was joined with Reddy to loot iron more.. and Reddy donated huge amount to Congi election fund now why blame only Reddy yaar..

    DisAgree [13] Agree [36] Reply Report Abuse

  • naveen, udupi

    Tue, Feb 12 2013

    Italy also shining now from italy madam.good work done by congress.

    DisAgree [10] Agree [25] Reply Report Abuse

  • VINAY, MANGALORE

    Tue, Feb 12 2013

    Another great achivment from Congies iam missing some blind supporter of congi
    Jossey now write some comments if anything happened in karnataka u will blame BJP now whom should u blame?BJP,RSS or BD?

    DisAgree [9] Agree [26] Reply Report Abuse

  • Peter Pereira, Pune

    Tue, Feb 12 2013

    Illegally stealing & selling our Iron ore to enemy country like traitors is worst than 'accused' bribe case. One traitor is caged, the associates are roaming free. Few rats got piece of butter to chew on and dance ding dong bell.

    DisAgree [27] Agree [14] Reply Report Abuse

  • SAFWAN, SHAHAMA/uae

    Tue, Feb 12 2013

    Corruption everywhere at every level and in all GOVT organizations. It is like a cancer. Difficult to eradicate completely from the system. Even if we bring Lokpal the power will corrupt it. In such situation we will cry demanding another agency to keep vigil on on that.
    As long as any restructure work done in our main system there is no break for corruption …It will continue with twist and turns like our mega serials.

    DisAgree [4] Agree [13] Reply Report Abuse

  • jeevan, Mangalore

    Tue, Feb 12 2013

    A probe by Congress bureu of investigation (CBI ) Judiciary must act now and probe the role of sonia.. and swiss back account...

    DisAgree [9] Agree [30] Reply Report Abuse

  • S.M. Nawaz Kukkikatte, udupi

    Tue, Feb 12 2013

    Dinesh Poojary, and Jeevan

    You both feels happy like " Murghi ne sone ka anda diya jaisa" This is called "Global Corruption"

    DisAgree [27] Agree [23] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sachidanand Shetty, Mundkur/Dubai

    Tue, Feb 12 2013

    Dear Dineshji, all those people I believe went for “Kumbh Mela” for holy dip to wash their sins for supporting Congress blindly

    DisAgree [11] Agree [35] Reply Report Abuse

  • Sachidanand Shetty, Mundkur/Dubai

    Tue, Feb 12 2013

    The US $735 Million worth of Choppers for use by India's Political Leaders. Are they worth it so much!!! My goodness these Politicians are taking bath in poor Indians’ blood!!! We have to clip the wings of Choppers so that our Political Leaders will never dare to fly with these Choppers!!! By the way we heard that Choppers are from Italy!!! Kapil, Khurshid, Chidu, Moily & Oscar will advise Madam that they will call for Press conference and that Choppers are from China…..

    DisAgree [10] Agree [44] Reply Report Abuse

  • jeevan, mangalore

    Tue, Feb 12 2013

    Dinesh Poojary, Kundapura/Bengaluru

    I feel they are hiding somewhere... may be dare not to come out in day time..let us wait till sunset to read their comments atleast..

    DisAgree [16] Agree [42] Reply Report Abuse

  • Dinesh Poojary, Kundapura/Bengaluru

    Tue, Feb 12 2013

    Hi Ismail, Jossey, Gerald, Lydia, MYdia, Henry, Misqith, Bisqith, Rodrigues, Shanawaz, noorulla, innorulla... where are you guys..

    DisAgree [16] Agree [55] Reply Report Abuse

  • R.Bhandarkar, M'Lore

    Tue, Feb 12 2013

    Talk of 'Chopping'in case of Choppers!! Defence Ministry is already on the defensive !!

    DisAgree [8] Agree [39] Reply Report Abuse

  • Enkay, Mangalore/Kolkata

    Tue, Feb 12 2013

    Entire thing points out to Sonia ji, the Italian queenpin - Extremely corrupt - Cong will sell off India!!!

    DisAgree [13] Agree [41] Reply Report Abuse

  • jeevan, mangalore

    Tue, Feb 12 2013

    No doubt one of the worst govt in indian history.... congis is mother of corruption / scams.. No will power to bring JANLOKPAL at all..

    DisAgree [17] Agree [41] Reply Report Abuse

  • Dinesh Poojary, Kundapura/Bengaluru

    Tue, Feb 12 2013

    Dig it further. Corrupt lady Sonia's name will come.

    DisAgree [19] Agree [51] Reply Report Abuse

  • jeevan, mangalore

    Tue, Feb 12 2013

    Everything is possible under Congi rule and italian madam..even not spared our defence.. why should we pay tax to govt ???

    DisAgree [19] Agree [46] Reply Report Abuse


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