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{{distinguish|Agusta scandal}} | {{distinguish|Agusta scandal}} | ||
{{redirect|Choppergate|the 2011 ''[[Nine News Queensland]]'' controversy|Nine News Queensland#"Choppergate" controversy}} | {{redirect|Choppergate|the 2011 ''[[Nine News Queensland]]'' controversy|Nine News Queensland#"Choppergate" controversy}} | ||
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* On 5 December 2018, Christian Michel, the alleged middleman was extradited to India from Dubai.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ohri |first1=Raghav |title=Christian Michel lands in India, to face court today |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/agustawestland-deal-middleman-christian-michel-lands-in-new-delhi/articleshow/66943452.cms |accessdate=28 February 2019 |work=The Economic Times |date=5 December 2018}}</ref> | * On 5 December 2018, Christian Michel, the alleged middleman was extradited to India from Dubai.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ohri |first1=Raghav |title=Christian Michel lands in India, to face court today |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/agustawestland-deal-middleman-christian-michel-lands-in-new-delhi/articleshow/66943452.cms |accessdate=28 February 2019 |work=The Economic Times |date=5 December 2018}}</ref> | ||
* On 31 January 2019, Another co-accused Rajeev Saxena and lobbyist Deepak Talwar were extradited to India from Dubai.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ohri |first1=Raghav |title=AgustaWestland scam co-accused Rajeev Saxena, lobbyist Deepak Talwar extradited to India |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/agustawestland-co-accused-rajeev-saxena-brought-to-india/articleshow/67761301.cms |accessdate=28 February 2019 |work=The Economic Times |date=31 January 2019}}</ref> | * On 31 January 2019, Another co-accused Rajeev Saxena and lobbyist Deepak Talwar were extradited to India from Dubai.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Ohri |first1=Raghav |title=AgustaWestland scam co-accused Rajeev Saxena, lobbyist Deepak Talwar extradited to India |url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/agustawestland-co-accused-rajeev-saxena-brought-to-india/articleshow/67761301.cms |accessdate=28 February 2019 |work=The Economic Times |date=31 January 2019}}</ref> | ||
* | * In April 2019 Supplementary charge-sheet filed by the Enforcement Directorate mentioned name of the three journalists including [[Shekhar Gupta]] with Raju Santhanam and Manu Pubby.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://english.newsnationtv.com/india/news/agustawestland-case-christian-michel-hired-media-advisor-to-influence-public-opinion-chargesheet-mentions-3-journalists-article-219519.html|title=AgustaWestland: Michel hired advisor to 'influence' public opinion, chargesheet mentions 3 journalists}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.outlookindia.com/website/story/india-news-three-journalists-mentioned-in-agustawestland-chargesheet/328135|title = Three Journalists Mentioned in AgustaWestland Chargesheet}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/news-ians/agustawestland-chargesheet-mentions-three-journalists-119040500027_1.html|title = AgustaWestland chargesheet mentions three journalists|newspaper = Business Standard India|date = 5 April 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.mynation.com/india-news/christian-michel-asked-shekhar-gupta-manu-pubby-raju-santhanam-to-influence-public-opinion-on-agustawestland-ed-pphjuo|title = Christian Michel asked Shekhar Gupta, Manu Pubby, Raju Santhanam to influence public opinion on AgustaWestland: ED}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thequint.com/news/hot-news/agustawestland-chargesheet-mentions-three-journalists|title = AgustaWestland chargesheet mentions three journalists|date = 5 April 2019}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.apnlive.com/agusta-westland-deal-ahmad-patel-sonia-gandhi-journalists-mentioned-ed-chargesheet/|title = Agusta Westland deal: Ahmad Patel, Sonia Gandhi, journalists mentioned in ED chargesheet - APN Live|date = 5 April 2019}}</ref> | ||
== Investigation == | == Investigation == | ||
After a huge controversy and allegations of corruption,<ref name="Chopper Deal: BJP Attacks UPA, Says It's 'Raining Scams'">{{cite news|title=Chopper Deal: BJP Attacks UPA, Says It's 'Raining Scams'|url=http://news.outlookindia.com/items.aspx?artid=789987|accessdate=5 October 2013|date=15 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005220606/http://news.outlookindia.com/items.aspx?artid=789987|archive-date=5 October 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="St Antony needs to be decanonised">{{cite news|title=St Antony needs to be decanonised|url=http://www.firstpost.com/politics/vvip-chopper-scam-st-antony-needs-to-be-decanonised-623639.html|accessdate=5 October 2013|date=13 February 2013}}</ref> [[Defence Minister of India|Defence Minister]] [[A.K. Antony]], on 12 February, ordered an investigation by the [[Central Bureau of Investigation]] (CBI).<ref name="CBI probe ordered">{{cite news|title=CBI probe ordered|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/cbi-probe-ordered-into-italian-chopper-deal/article4409584.ece|accessdate=5 October 2013|date=13 February 2013|location=Chennai, India|work=The Hindu|first=Vinay|last=Kumar}}</ref><ref name="Italy arrests Finmeccanica CEO, India orders CBI probe">{{cite news|title=Italy arrests Finmeccanica CEO, India orders CBI probe|url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/vvip-chopper-deal-scam-italy-arrests-finmeccanica-ceo-india-orders-cbi-probe_828646.html|accessdate=5 October 2013|date=13 February 2013}}</ref> | After a huge controversy and allegations of corruption,<ref name="Chopper Deal: BJP Attacks UPA, Says It's 'Raining Scams'">{{cite news|title=Chopper Deal: BJP Attacks UPA, Says It's 'Raining Scams'|url=http://news.outlookindia.com/items.aspx?artid=789987|accessdate=5 October 2013|date=15 February 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131005220606/http://news.outlookindia.com/items.aspx?artid=789987|archive-date=5 October 2013|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="St Antony needs to be decanonised">{{cite news|title=St Antony needs to be decanonised|url=http://www.firstpost.com/politics/vvip-chopper-scam-st-antony-needs-to-be-decanonised-623639.html|accessdate=5 October 2013|date=13 February 2013}}</ref> [[Defence Minister of India|Defence Minister]] [[A.K. Antony]], on 12 February, ordered an investigation by the [[Central Bureau of Investigation]] (CBI).<ref name="CBI probe ordered">{{cite news|title=CBI probe ordered|url=http://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/cbi-probe-ordered-into-italian-chopper-deal/article4409584.ece|accessdate=5 October 2013|date=13 February 2013|location=Chennai, India|work=The Hindu|first=Vinay|last=Kumar}}</ref><ref name="Italy arrests Finmeccanica CEO, India orders CBI probe">{{cite news|title=Italy arrests Finmeccanica CEO, India orders CBI probe|url=http://zeenews.india.com/news/nation/vvip-chopper-deal-scam-italy-arrests-finmeccanica-ceo-india-orders-cbi-probe_828646.html|accessdate=5 October 2013|date=13 February 2013}}</ref> | ||
On 25 February 2013, CBI registered a Preliminary Enquiry (PE) against 11 persons including the former [[Indian Air Force]] Chief, Air Chief Marshal [[S.P. Tyagi]], and his cousins, besides four companies.<ref name="CBI names Tyagi, cousins in PE">{{cite news|title=CBI names Tyagi, cousins in PE|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/cbi-names-tyagi-cousins-in-preliminary-enquiry/article4452467.ece|accessdate=5 October 2013|date=25 February 2013|location=Chennai, India|work=The Hindu|first=Devesh K.|last=Pandey}}</ref> After carrying out the preliminary enquiry, the CBI found sufficient [[evidence]] and registered an [[First Information Report|FIR]] on 13 March. The FIR named 13 persons including: former [[Indian Air Force]] Chief, Air Chief Marshal [[S.P. Tyagi]], his three brothers: Juli, Docsa and Sandeep, the brother of former Union minister [[Santosh Bagrodia]], Satish Bagrodia, and Pratap Aggarwal (Chairman and | On 25 February 2013, CBI registered a Preliminary Enquiry (PE) against 11 persons including the former [[Indian Air Force]] Chief, Air Chief Marshal [[S.P. Tyagi]], and his cousins, besides four companies.<ref name="CBI names Tyagi, cousins in PE">{{cite news|title=CBI names Tyagi, cousins in PE|url=http://www.thehindu.com/news/national/cbi-names-tyagi-cousins-in-preliminary-enquiry/article4452467.ece|accessdate=5 October 2013|date=25 February 2013|location=Chennai, India|work=The Hindu|first=Devesh K.|last=Pandey}}</ref> After carrying out the preliminary enquiry, the CBI found sufficient [[evidence]] and registered an [[First Information Report|FIR]] on 13 March. The FIR named 13 persons including: former [[Indian Air Force]] Chief, Air Chief Marshal [[S.P. Tyagi]], his three brothers: Juli, Docsa and Sandeep, the brother of former Union minister [[Santosh Bagrodia]], Satish Bagrodia, and Pratap Aggarwal (Chairman and managing director of IDS Infotech). The FIR also named four companies - Italy-based [[Finmeccanica]], UK-based [[AgustaWestland]] and Chandigarh-based IDS Infotech and Aeromatrix.<ref name="CBI registers FIR against former Air Chief S.P. Tyagi">{{cite news|title=CBI registers FIR against former Air chief SP Tyagi|url=http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-03-13/india/37681619_1_ids-infotech-michel-and-guido-haschkhe-preliminary-enquiry|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131006103022/http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-03-13/india/37681619_1_ids-infotech-michel-and-guido-haschkhe-preliminary-enquiry|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 October 2013|accessdate=5 October 2013|work=[[The Times of India]]|date=13 March 2013}}</ref><ref name="CBI files FIR against Air Force ex-chief SP Tyagi, 11 others">{{cite news|title=CBI files FIR against Air Force ex-chief SP Tyagi, 11 others|url=http://ibnlive.in.com/news/agustawestland-chopper-deal-cbi-files-fir-against-air-force-exchief-sp-tyagi-11-others/378469-3.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130314190058/http://ibnlive.in.com/news/agustawestland-chopper-deal-cbi-files-fir-against-air-force-exchief-sp-tyagi-11-others/378469-3.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=14 March 2013|accessdate=5 October 2013|date=13 March 2013}}</ref> | ||
In 2013, billionaire Indian arms dealer [[Abhishek Verma (businessman)|Abhishek Verma]] and his [[Romanian people|Romanian]] born wife [[Anca Verma|Anca Neacsu]] were named suspects in this scandal. Abhishek had played the role of a middleman in the deal and had interfaced with the politicians in securing [[Cabinet Committee on Security|CCS clearance]] from the Cabinet Committee. This nexus was exposed by [[Times Now|TimesNow TV]] with their global investigation.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/videos/news/Abhishek-Vermas-firm-acted-as-brokers-for-AgustaWestland/videoshow/18510668.cms|title=Times Now TV global investigation role of Abhishek Verma and his wife Anca Neacsu in 12 VVIP Chopper scandal}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Abhishek-Vermas-firm-acted-as-brokers-for-AgustaWestland/articleshow/18508189.cms|title=Times of India role of Abhishek Verma middleman in Agusta VVIP choppers}}</ref> According to the investigators, part of the bribes from AgustaWestland was sent to Abhishek's companies Atlas Defence Systems<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2006-10-20/news/27427504_1_war-room-leak-28-page-chargesheet-abhishek-verma|title=Atlas Defence Systems - Abhishek Verma}}</ref> accounts in Mauritius, to Bermuda accounts of Atlas Group Ltd and the other part was diverted to his wife's front company in New York, Ganton Limited.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/abhishek-verma-claims-retd-lt-gen-was-on-payroll/story-YbL7L3LnDzUuSEPfn7PvyH.html|title=Ganton Ltd front company of Abhishek Verma newsitem}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://indiankanoon.org/doc/175205366/|title=Ganton Limited New York is a front of Abhishek Verma controlled by his wife Anca Neacsu - Delhi High Court order}}</ref> These funds are suspected to have been sent to Indian politicians who were beneficiaries in this scandal. [[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]] leader [[Subramanian Swamy]] had first identified the role of [[Abhishek Verma (businessman)|Abhishek Verma]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/agustawestland-vvip-chopper-deal-a-k-anthony-manohar-parrikar-2784987/|title=MOD seeks info from Italy on Abhishek Verma's role in VVIP chopper Scam}}</ref> and his wife [[Anca Verma|Anca Neacsu]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thestatesman.com/news/india/agustawestland-the-story-so-far/140717.html|title=Role of Anca Neacsu wife of Abhishek Verma in VVIP Chopper Scam identified}}</ref> in 2013 in several of his blogs and press-releases.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindusthanjanataforum.org/?p=809|title=Role of Abhishek Verma identified by Subramanian Swamy MP}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wikileaks-forum.com/corruptionanti-corruption/124/and8206the-italian-helicopter-scam-agusta-westland/17712/|title=Role of Abhishek Verma in helicopter scandal - Wikileaks|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160430091411/http://www.wikileaks-forum.com/corruptionanti-corruption/124/and8206the-italian-helicopter-scam-agusta-westland/17712|archive-date=30 April 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> Later in April 2017, the Verma couple were exonerated from these allegations of corruption by [[Central Bureau of Investigation|CBI]] Special Court of Judge Anju Bajaj Chandana.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/court-discharges-abhishek-verma-in-graft-case/articleshow/58380997.cms?from=mdr|title=Court discharges Abhishek Verma in graft case|date=2017-04-26|work=The Economic Times|access-date=2020-04-18}}</ref> | In 2013, billionaire Indian arms dealer [[Abhishek Verma (businessman)|Abhishek Verma]] and his [[Romanian people|Romanian]] born wife [[Anca Verma|Anca Neacsu]] were named suspects in this scandal. Abhishek had played the role of a middleman in the deal and had interfaced with the politicians in securing [[Cabinet Committee on Security|CCS clearance]] from the Cabinet Committee. This nexus was exposed by [[Times Now|TimesNow TV]] with their global investigation.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/videos/news/Abhishek-Vermas-firm-acted-as-brokers-for-AgustaWestland/videoshow/18510668.cms|title=Times Now TV global investigation role of Abhishek Verma and his wife Anca Neacsu in 12 VVIP Chopper scandal}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Abhishek-Vermas-firm-acted-as-brokers-for-AgustaWestland/articleshow/18508189.cms|title=Times of India role of Abhishek Verma middleman in Agusta VVIP choppers}}</ref> According to the investigators, part of the bribes from AgustaWestland was sent to Abhishek's companies Atlas Defence Systems<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2006-10-20/news/27427504_1_war-room-leak-28-page-chargesheet-abhishek-verma|title=Atlas Defence Systems - Abhishek Verma}}</ref> accounts in Mauritius, to Bermuda accounts of Atlas Group Ltd and the other part was diverted to his wife's front company in New York, Ganton Limited.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.hindustantimes.com/delhi/abhishek-verma-claims-retd-lt-gen-was-on-payroll/story-YbL7L3LnDzUuSEPfn7PvyH.html|title=Ganton Ltd front company of Abhishek Verma newsitem}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://indiankanoon.org/doc/175205366/|title=Ganton Limited New York is a front of Abhishek Verma controlled by his wife Anca Neacsu - Delhi High Court order}}</ref> These funds are suspected to have been sent to Indian politicians who were beneficiaries in this scandal. [[Bharatiya Janata Party|BJP]] leader [[Subramanian Swamy]] had first identified the role of [[Abhishek Verma (businessman)|Abhishek Verma]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://indianexpress.com/article/india/india-news-india/agustawestland-vvip-chopper-deal-a-k-anthony-manohar-parrikar-2784987/|title=MOD seeks info from Italy on Abhishek Verma's role in VVIP chopper Scam}}</ref> and his wife [[Anca Verma|Anca Neacsu]]<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.thestatesman.com/news/india/agustawestland-the-story-so-far/140717.html|title=Role of Anca Neacsu wife of Abhishek Verma in VVIP Chopper Scam identified}}</ref> in 2013 in several of his blogs and press-releases.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hindusthanjanataforum.org/?p=809|title=Role of Abhishek Verma identified by Subramanian Swamy MP}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wikileaks-forum.com/corruptionanti-corruption/124/and8206the-italian-helicopter-scam-agusta-westland/17712/|title=Role of Abhishek Verma in helicopter scandal - Wikileaks|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160430091411/http://www.wikileaks-forum.com/corruptionanti-corruption/124/and8206the-italian-helicopter-scam-agusta-westland/17712|archive-date=30 April 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> Later in April 2017, the Verma couple were exonerated from these allegations of corruption by [[Central Bureau of Investigation|CBI]] Special Court of Judge Anju Bajaj Chandana.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/politics-and-nation/court-discharges-abhishek-verma-in-graft-case/articleshow/58380997.cms?from=mdr|title=Court discharges Abhishek Verma in graft case|date=2017-04-26|work=The Economic Times|access-date=2020-04-18}}</ref> | ||