Italian anti-corruption officials to meet Indian counterparts

Italian anti-corruption officials to meet Indian counterparts

Context

An Italian delegation of senior anti-corruption officials is expected to visit India soon for a meeting with the representatives of various enforcement agencies to discuss issues of mutual cooperation in investigations.

Backdrop

The meeting follows the visit of Italian Prime Minister Paolo Gentiloni in October-November last year.

CVC at the helm

• It is learnt that the Indian delegation will be headed by a senior Central Vigilance Commission (CVC) functionary.
• The CVC is empowered to supervise and direct a probe into corruption allegations. It also conducts inquiries into cases referred by the Central government.

Strengthening ties

Through the meeting, the Indian agencies hope to further strengthen their ties with their Italian counterparts in the areas of mutual information sharing on financial crimes, as part of their efforts to open up more efficient channels for communication with countries.

Bilateral treaties

• In the past few years, India has also signed revised bilateral treaties with many countries for effective action against black money.

VVIP chopper deal case

• The crucial meeting comes in the backdrop of acquittals of Giuseppe Orsi and Bruno Spagnolini, two former top functionaries of Italy-based Finmeccanica and its subsidiary Agusta Westland, in the VVIP chopper deal case by an Italian appeals court in January.
• The Italian court acquitted the two accused citing insufficient evidence.
• However, the Central Bureau of Investigation, which is probing the bribery allegations, has maintained that it does not have any bearing on its probe.
• The agency has already filed the first charge sheet in the case.