ITALIAN POLICE ARREST FINMECCANICA CHIEF OVER ₹360 CR BRIBES IN UPA CHOPPER DEAL
Middleman Christian Michel & "Signora Gandhi / AP" Codewords Surface in Milan Court Wiretaps
On 12 February 2013, Italian authorities arrested Giuseppe Orsi, CEO of Finmeccanica, revealing that kickbacks worth €51 million (₹360 Crore) were paid to Indian officials and political middlemen to secure a ₹3,600 Crore deal for 12 VVIP helicopters.
The mandatory flying altitude requirement was deliberately reduced from 18,000 feet to 15,000 feet to allow AgustaWestland AW101 to qualify for the tender.
Middleman memos seized in Italy contained cryptic notations such as "AP" (Ahmed Patel) and "Signora Gandhi" as key drivers behind the contract approval.
📌 Key Figures & Decision Makers
- ▸ SP Tyagi (Former Air Chief Marshal)
- ▸ Christian Michel
- ▸ Ahmed Patel
- ▸ Sonia Gandhi
- ▸ Guido Haschke
- • Busto Arsizio / Milan Court of Appeals Dossier on AgustaWestland Kickbacks (Italian Judiciary, 2013)
- • CAG Report No. 10 of 2013 on Acquisition of VVIP Helicopters (CAG of India, 2013)