Was not buying AgustaWestland choppers: Delhi Police

New Delhi : The Delhi Police Saturday rubbished claims that it was going to buy choppers from AgustaWestland, the Britain-based subsidiary of Italian firm Finmeccanica, accused of paying kickbacks in the $750-million deal for 12 VVIP choppers.

“This is all rubbish. It was never on our mind,” said Delhi Police chief Neeraj Kumar, addressing media here following reports that the force was in talks to buy helicopters from the firm embroiled in controversy.

The chief of Finmeccanica – Giuseppe Orsi – was arrested in Italy earlier this week on charges of graft which led to the defence ministry ordering a Central Bureau of Investigation probe into the deal to acquire 12 AW101 helicopters for the Indian Air Force’s elite Communication Squadron, which ferries the president, prime minister and other VVIPs.

The defence ministry Friday initiated action for cancellation of the contract. It also issued a formal show-cause notice to AgustaWestland.