IDS India, Aeromatrix created bogus export contracts to route bribe money to middlemen

New Delhi/Chandigarh: As the CBI gets set to seek out more details to begin their probe into the AgustaWestland chopper deal, CNN-IBN is trying to trace how the bribe money found its way into India. Companies were floated just to bring in massive amounts of money to bribe individuals under the garb of engineering contracts.

- Chandigarh-based IDS Infotech launched subsidiary Aeromatrix in 2009. Middlemen Guido Haschke and Carlo Gerosa were on the Board of Directors.

- Companies did not export software but raised bogus engineering contracts to bring in bribe money worth 510,000 euros per month.

Chandigarh-based IDS Infotech launched subsidiary Aeromatrix in 2009. Middlemen Haschke and Gerosa were on its Board of Directors.

- There are questions over how Software Technology Parks of India (STPI) gave clearance when it is tasked to monitor software exports.

- STPI is supposed to release a 'softex' form on behalf of the government recognising software exports bringing in foreign exchange.

The probe report categorically charts out money given on a monthly basis through front companies like IDS Tunisia in which IDS Infotech had invested. Sample these payments given for a period of one year: From February 2010 to December 2010, 510,000 euros were transferred every month in the name of what appears to be bogus software exports.

The Italian probe report names these companies and also Pravin Bakshi - CEO of Aeromatrix - who could have helped in bringing in the money. Bakshi, however, denies any wrongdoing.

But the probe report confirms money was channelled through these companies. Using this method, the middlemen of Finmeccanica kept all the right people on their side. The CBI on Monday will be sending a two member team to Italy who accompanied by Defence and Foreign Ministry officials.

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