Agusta middleman goes into hiding, says his lawyer
The CBI on Wednesday said it has not received any information from the UAE authorities on the extradition of Christian Michel, the alleged middleman in the AgustaWestland helicopter scam, even as the controversial British national has reportedly gone into “hiding”.
CBI sources said the agency was awaiting confirmation from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on reports about the extradition of the middleman following an order from a Dubai court on September 2.
The CBI was in touch with the MEA but the latter is yet to receive an official communication from the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Michel’s lawyer Amal Alsubei told an Indian television news channel that he could not be found.
“He will be arrested if found. He is likely to appeal to the Supreme Court,” Alsubei told NDTV channel, adding Michel can file his appeal till October 2.
Sources said the UAE authorities on August 26 asked a Dubai court on the possibility of extraditing a British national to a third country. On September 2, the court gave its opinion stating that extradition is possible depending upon the severity of crime. The court is said to have decreed that Michel can be extradited to India. It remains unclear if the Dubai court issued an extradition order against the European middleman in the absence of confirmation from the CBI.
When contacted by the CBI, the Interpol has also told the agency there is no further development in the case, according to sources.
The CBI had filed chargesheet in the case in September last year, naming former IAF chief SP Tyagi, retired Air Marshal JS Gujral along with eight others, including five foreign nationals. Michel is one of the chargesheeted accused in the case.
In the chargesheet, the CBI has alleged that there was an estimated loss of Euro 398.21 million (approximately Rs 2,666 crore) to the exchequer in the deal that was signed on February 8, 2010 for the supply of 12 VVIP copters worth Euro 556.262 million.
The CBI probe has revealed that during Tyagi’s tenure as IAF chief, the air force agreed to reduce the mandated service ceiling for VVIP helicopters from 6,000 metres to 4,500 metres. Service ceiling is the maximum height at which a helicopter can operate. Reduction of service ceiling led to the AgustaWestland’s participation in the tendering process as its copters did not have the capability to fly beyond 4,500 metres.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) that probed the money laundering angle in the VVIP helicopter scam alleged in its chargesheet filed in June 2016 that Michel had received Euro 30 million (nearly Rs 225 crore). He is wanted in India to face trial in the case.
Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad termed the order of a Dubai court to extradite British national Christian Michel as a positive development and said the news has created a “sense of unease” in some leaders here.
Responding to a question on the Dubai court order, Prasad said, “It is a good development. But I must point out that I notice a profound sense of unease in some leaders.”
Prasad was apparently referring to the Congress party when stressing that there was a sense of unease in some leaders.
Michel is facing a non-bailable warrant from designated Indian courts for CBI and ED besides a Red Corner Notice from the Interpol.
Following allegations of corruption in the VVIP copter scam, the contract was scrapped by the Government in 2014.
