The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has lodged a case against British aerospace giant Rolls Royce and “unknown public” servants over corruption charges in the procurement of training aircraft.
“CBI registers a case against British aerospace company Rolls Royce India Private Limited, Tim Jones, the Director of Rolls Royce India Private Limited, private individuals Sudhir Choudhrie and Bhanu Choudhrie and unknown public servants and private persons with the objective to cheat the Government of India in the matter of procurement of Hawk aircraft from Rolls Royce Plc UK and its associated group companies, including M/S Rolls Royce Turbomeca Limited,” the agency said in a statement reported in Indian media.
The agency said that the unknown public officials “abused their official position” in procuring 24 Hawk 115 Advance Jet Trainer (AJT) aircraft for $906.4 million and permitting the licensed manufacturing of 42 additional aircraft by India’s state-backed Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) against “materials supplied by the said manufacturer for an additional amount of $308.247 million and $7.5 million towards Manufacturer's Licence Fee”.
It said that the officials received “huge bribes, commissions and kickbacks” from Rolls Royce executives for the contract.
The case has been registered under relevant sanctions of the Indian law pertaining to criminal conspiracy and under the Prevention of Corruption Act after a six-year enquiry.
The CBI said that a British court in 2017 had also alleged involvement of a middlemen in the defense deal to swing the outcome in Rolls Royce’s favour.
The corruption scandal in the deal first broke out in 2012, following which the Serious Fraud Office in London launched an investigation into the matter.