Embraer Jet Deal: $5.5 Million Paid to Middleman Claim CBI Sources

The Defence Ministry had earlier asked the CBI to probe allegations that kickbacks were paid in the $208 mn deal.

Central Bureau of Investigation(CBI) on Wednesday had its first breakthrough in the Embraer deal in which Ministry of Defence officials are also being probed. According to CBI sources, $ 5.5 Million were paid by Embraer to a middleman based outside the country for getting the deal.

The Times of India reports that the CBI is reaching out to foreign law enforcement agencies to find more about the identity of the middleman.

The Defence Ministry had earlier asked the CBI to probe allegations that kickbacks were paid in the $208 million Embraer aircraft deal that the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) had struck with the Brazilian aircraft manufacturer during the UPA regime in 2008.

If there is a criminal angle then the CBI will probe as the Ministry cannot. If only procedural issues are involved, then the Defence Ministry can do an internal investigation. 

Manohar Parrikar, Defence Minister, India

Also Read: Embraer Jet Deal: Defence Ministry Asks CBI to Probe ‘Kickbacks’

(With agency inputs)