The Centre here on Thursday rejected reports alleging kickbacks to government officials through Global Marketing SP Ltd in the contract for spares for AN-32 Aircraft.
Reports said that Ukraine's National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NAB) was probing the alleged kickbacks in New Delhi's purchase of spares for its AN-32 planes, which are the mainstay of the medium-lift air transport division of the Indian Air Force.
Ministry of Defence (MoD) in a rejoinder here said neither any official from the MoD or from Indian Air Force (IAF) has ever interacted nor signed any agreement with Global Marketing SP Ltd. It also refuted that any such agreement was concluded. "IAF has also confirmed that Global Marketing SP Ltd has not participated in any of the meetings held towards finalisation of the contract dated 26.11.2014 with STE Ukraine," stated the rejoinder.
It, however, confirmed that the Embassy of Ukraine in India had sent a request to MHA and MEA, dated 06.03.2018 for legal assistance in investigation of a criminal case filed against officials of Ukraine Government's State Owned Enterprise (STE).
"This is as per international treaty between India and Ukraine. This request contains a list of questions to be answered. There are no allegations against any Indian Govt. official. Government of India has only been requested to render legal assistance," it said.