Rome/New Delhi: Taken by surprise by the decision of an Italian judge to include Defence Minister A K Antony as a possible witness in a trial relating to corruption in the Rs 3,600 crore AgustaWestland chopper deal, India tonight ruled out his appearance in the court.

Reports from Italy said that a judge in the city Busto Arsizio had earlier today cleared the names of Antony, former British Defence Minister Geoff Hoon and Ratan Tata among 80 possible witnesses in the trial of former CEO of Italy's Finmeccanica, which had secured a deal with the Indian government for the supply of 12 helicopters to ferry VVIPs.

Three of the helicopters had been delivered before corruption was reported in the deal.

Former IAF chief Air Chief Marshal SP Tyagi and his three cousins have been questioned by the CBI in connection with allegations of kickbacks to the tune of Rs 362 crore in the deal. Tyagi has denied any wrongdoing.

Although reports said all the witnesses cleared by the judge may not be called to testify, high-level sources in the Defence Ministry said there was no question of Antony giving evidence or appearing in any court outside India.

Former Finmeccanica chairman Giuseppe Orsi has been accused by prosecutors of paying bribes to secure the helicopter deal three years ago when he was head of AgustaWestland.

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