UK agency charges Alstom for corruption in India project

The UK Serious Fraud Office today started criminal proceedings against French major Alstom SA for alleged corruption related to large transport projects in India and two other countries.
A diversified group with global footprints, Alstom is into rail, power and electricity transmission sectors.
The SFO has commenced criminal proceedings against an Alstom company in the UK by written charge, as part of an ongoing investigation.
"Alstom Network UK Ltd, formerly called Alstom International Ltd, a UK subsidiary of Alstom, has been charged with three offences of corruption," the investigation agency said in a statement.
When contacted, an Alstom spokesperson told PTI said the company was in touch with the SFO with regard to these investigations and would continue to cooperate on the same.

While the SFO statement did not disclose specific details about the Indian project, earlier reports have said Alstom was being investigated for alleged instances of corruption with regard to its work for Delhi Metro project in India, along with some others.

Earlier this year, SFO had also written to Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) after which CBI had begun looking into alleged pay-offs of nearly three million pounds made by the European company to an Indian for allegedly swinging a government deal in its favour.
As per SFO's statement today, "the alleged offences are said to have taken place between 1 June 2000 and 30 November 2006 and concern large transport projects in India, Poland and Tunisia."

Besides, three offences under the Prevention of Corruption Act 1906, there are three other offences under Criminal Law Act 1977, according to the statement.
The investigation by SFO began after getting information from the Office of the Attorney General in Switzerland concerning the Alstom Group, in particular Alstom Network UK Ltd.
The first hearing in this case would be on September 9.
An independent government department, SFO is responsible for investigating and prosecuting serious and complex fraud and corruption.
The Alstom spokesperson said the SFO has indicated that it has initiated proceedings against two UK subsidiaries of Alstom SA.
"The companies are in ongoing communications with the SFO about its investigation and will continue to work with the SFO to seek a fair and appropriate resolution," the spokesperson added.