Monday, May 16 2005 08:33 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

New Delhi: CBI is all set to register the first case this week in the Defence deals entered into during the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) regime when the agency begins a probe into the alleged corruption in purchase of arms and ammunition from South African firm Denel.

The agency, which has scrutinised the papers submitted by the Ministry of Defence, is likely to file an FIR this week against "unknown people", official sources said.

The agency had earlier sent back a letter to the Defence Ministry in which it was asked to conduct the probe saying it needed a specific complaint for the probe along with a notification so that the agency could examine and find out whether a case was made out or not for investigation.

The documents handed over to the agency included a file pertaining to purchase of anti-material rifles, on which the then Defence Minister George Fernandes had raised some queries and later approved the contract.

The allegation of payment of commission by Denel to a British agent to secure the Indian contract for arms and ammos had set off a political storm in the country.

The Government has also handed over 37 cases of Defence deals, including the casket purchase during Kargil conflict, to the CBI.