The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has initiated legal proceedings against British aerospace company Rolls-Royce, its executives, and two Indian-born businessmen in connection with an alleged corruption case involving the procurement of 24 Hawk 115 Advance Jet Trainer aircraft.

The case, filed by the CBI, targets Rolls-Royce’s director Tim Jones and businessmen Sudhir Choudhrie and Bhanu Choudhrie, accusing them of attempting to deceive the Indian government during the procurement process for the trainer aircraft.

According to the CBI, the case focuses on the alleged involvement of unidentified public servants who misused their positions to approve the purchase of 24 Hawk 115 Advance Jet Trainers for GBP 734.21 million. Additionally, they allowed Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) to license manufacture 42 additional aircraft using materials supplied by Rolls-Royce, resulting in an additional payment of $308.247 million for the license-manufactured aircraft and $7.5 million as a manufacturer’s license fee. These transactions are believed to have involved substantial bribes, commissions, and kickbacks paid by Rolls-Royce