A Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) team comprising a senior investigating officer and a law officer is set to leave for Italy to investigate 3600 crore rupee VVIP chopper deal. It will also investigate whether firms were floated in India just to route kickbacks in the deal with Italian defence company Agusta Westland. Our correspondent quoting official sources reports that the departure of the team was delayed due to some last-minute formalities required to be fulfilled before traveling abroad for the purpose of investigation. The CBI team is also expected to meet Italian prosecutors to ascertain the details of the case. The Defence ministry has also deputed a senior Joint Secretary A K Bal to visit Italy to gather evidence relating to the allegations of corruption in the case.

The judge of the Italian court told the Indian embassy in Rome that his office would consider a fresh request for the details and documents of the probe from the Indian side once the secrecy obligations get over. Earlier, the court had rejected the Indian request.

India has already initiated action to scrap the deal for purchase of 12 VVIP helicopters from AgustaWestland.