Investigations into alleged corruption in the deal picked up pace last week with the the arrest of Haschke, who has since been released on bail. Haschke, who advertises himself as providing ‘Project Advisory Services', was arrested by Swiss authorities for money laundering and other charges.
Educated in Milan, the 62-year-old consultant has dual citizenship of Italy and the US.
He was believed to have been working on behalf of Agusta Westland which won the VVIP chopper deal in 2010 in an international competition for new generation helicopters that would be operated by the IAF.
Another ‘middleman' who has come under the scanner of Italian authorities is Christian Michel - a little known but well-connected British consultant who has been very active in the Indian military business.
In February 2010 Agusta Westland won a Rs 3,546 cr contract to supply 12 AW 101s after beating Sikorsky's S-92 Superhawks.
The helicopters were set to join this year a fleet of aircraft used by the PM, President and other senior government functionaries.
Earlier this year, investigators in Italy began a probe into alleged corruption by Agusta Westland in securing the deal.
