A Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) team is set to leave for Italy tomorrow to investigate 3600 crore rupee VVIP chopper deal. The team comprises a senior investigating officer and a law officer. It will also investigate whether firms were floated in India just to route kickbacks in the VVIP chopper 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 which 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.

Earlier, the request for the details and documents of the probe was made by Indian embassy in Rome was rejected by the Italian court saying that the information is covered by Secrecy. The judge , however, told the Indian embassy that his office will consider a fresh request from the Indian side once the secrecy obligations get over.

India has already initiated action to scrap the deal for purchase of 12 VVIP helicopters from AgustaWestland following allegations of kickbacks in the deal. The Defence Ministry has issued a show cause notice to AgustaWestland, asking it to explain within seven days why the 3,600 crore rupees deal of 2010 should not be scrapped.