Italian judge says note listing ‘AP’ is authentic

Italian judge says note listing ‘AP’ is authentic

FPJ BureauUpdated: Friday, May 31, 2019, 03:44 PM IST
article-image
Representational image |

New Delhi :  The Congress party, which has been trying to make light of the pointed references to its leaders in the Agusta Westland judgment, insisting that they had not been indicted in any manner, has been delivered a body blow by a judge in Italy.

Judge Marco Maria Maiga, who presided over the trial that handed out a verdict against Italian bribe-givers in the Westland helicopter deal, has told NDTV that a note from a middleman in the deal, Guido Haschke, singling one “AP” as the intended recipient of a bribe is authentic.

The BJP is convinced that “AP” refers to Ahmed Patel, the chief advisor to Congress president Sonia Gandhi. Patel on Wednesday made an emotional pitch in the Rajya Sabha, saying he would give up public life if found to be involved in the Westland scam.  Patel, however, admitted that his name figures four times in the 225-page document but claimed he has nowhere been indicted.

The same highly incriminating note also lists categories like “FAM” and “POL”. The former has been interpreted to refer to the family of former IAF chief S P Tyagi, though the Opposition would like to believe that the reference is to a ‘political family.’

Judge Maiga is adamant that his verdict does not give a clean chit to Indian politicians, as the Congress party was at pains to project in Parliament on Wednesday.  ‘‘It is up to India now to follow up on investigating its politicians,” he told the channel, indicating that the case is still wide open as far as the recipients of the bribes were concerned.

At the same time, the Judge admitted that there is no “direct evidence” linking any Indian politician with the alleged kickbacks.  There is a “possibility or probability but there is no direct evidence,” he underscored.

Identifying the Indian individuals was not within the ambit of the Italian courts, he explained.

RECENT STORIES

10 shayari by Mirza Ghalib that beautifully captures the pain of love, life and heartbreak

10 shayari by Mirza Ghalib that beautifully captures the pain of love, life and heartbreak

A 1950’s Throwback: Pictures Of India’s Very First Republic Day!

A 1950’s Throwback: Pictures Of India’s Very First Republic Day!

10 Bollywood divas teach you how to be SEXY in a SAREE this monsoon

10 Bollywood divas teach you how to be SEXY in a SAREE this monsoon

Nalini Sriharan: The unfolding mystery

Nalini Sriharan: The unfolding mystery

Tadvi suicide case: Court rejects bail pleas of 3 women doctors

Tadvi suicide case: Court rejects bail pleas of 3 women doctors