Indian government which has recently cancelled a huge helicopter deal due to the scam which has surfaced is reportedly considering withdrawing as a party in the trial of the AgustaWestland case in Italy.
Sources say this is due to the fears that Sonia loyalist and defence minister A K Antony may be summoned as a witness to testify to the alleged payment of kickbacks in the VVIP chopper deal.
After the trial began, the Italian prosecutor had reportedly expressed happiness at India becoming a party to the proceedings saying otherwise, the prosecution would have got an impression about India’s possible complicity in the alleged scandal. But there are reports which dawned on the government that Antony could be summoned as a witness during the trial.
India had contracted AgustaWestland February 8, 2010, for supply of 12 AW-101 VVIP helicopters. The CBI started investigations into the bribery allegations on February 12 last year and three days later, a notice was issued to AgustaWestland but now with investigation picking up in Italy this is causing fear in Congress as the party fears a minister being summoned to Italy may be used politically to maximum by BJP just before elections!
