CIC orders Agusta files disclosed

The Central Information Commission has directed the defence ministry to disclose some records related to AgustaWestland helicopter deal, including the opinion of the attorney-general on returning procured copters and records related to court proceedings in Italy. The commission has also sought records related to the termination of the deal to be presented before it in an in-camera proceedings for its perusal before deciding whether they can be disclosed under the RTI Act or they attract its exemption clauses.

“Commission will examine application of Section 8(1)(a) and (h) in claiming exemption from disclosure of files and documents by the CPIO. It will also take a decision, if required on applying severability clause under Section 10 of RTI Act in respect of any portion of the document/files,” information commissioner Divya Prakash Sinha said. Hearing the plea of activist Subhash Agrawal, Mr Sinha ordered the defence ministry to provide details of bank guarantee amount received back by India.

“The MoD is directed to provide copy of attorney-general’s opinion on sending back already procured helicopters... Provide details of court cases in Italian courts in which India is a party,” he said.

Examining the application point by point, Mr Sinha ordered the ministry provide names of Italian advocates/Italian law firms hired to represent India in Italian courts.

Responding to RTI application of Mr Agrawal, who had sought information on various points of the controversial deal for 12 VVIP helicopters from AgustaWestland in which allegations of corruption have surfaced, the defence ministry has cited the ongoing CBI investigation to deny the information.