NEW DELHI (Reuters) - The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) launched raids in New Delhi and Chandigarh on Wednesday after formally launching a probe into the AgustaWestland bribery case. Former Indian air force chief S.P. Tyagi was among 12 individuals being investigated.
The CBI said it had registered a criminal case under India's anti-corruption laws and named Italian defence company Finmeccanica, and its Anglo-Italian subsidiary AgustaWestland as targets of its probe.
It said in a statement that a total of four firms and 12 individuals were being investigated. Searches were under way at 14 locations.
Helicopter company AgustaWestland has denied paying bribes in a $750 million deal to supply 12 helicopters for Indian political leaders. Italian police have arrested the head of Finmeccanica, Giuseppe Orsi, in connection with the case. (Reporting By Satarupa Bhattacharjya, writing by Ross Colvin, editing by John Chalmers)