A local court on Thursday issued a non-bailable warrant (NBW) against British citizen Christian Michel James, one of the accused in the Rs3,600 crore VVIP chopper deal (Augusta Westland Scam) after the CBI said he was required for questioning to ascertain crucial aspects in the matter.
It was on September 11 when the CBI had moved an application in the court of Additional Sessions Judge Ajay Kumar against James.
James, according to the United Kingdom authorities, is currently staying in Dubai. Special Public Prosecutor JS Wadia submitted that during CBI’s investigation it was revealed that in 2002, AW101 helicopters of Augusta Westland International ltd did not participate in the evaluation trial of the proposed VVIP helicopter for the use VVIPs in India.
The company appointed James along with two others as defence middlemen on huge payment of kickback to cause favour to Westland International limited. By reducing and circumventing the mandatory service ceiling conditions of 6,000 meters to 4500 meters to enable its helicopters for the then upcoming tender of Ministry of Defence, Government of India to procure 12 VVIP/non VVIP helicopters.
The CBI through its Prosecutor stated that the document showed “the amount of Euro 30 million have been or was to be paid as illegal gratification to various persons associated in the said procurement, and others which include public/Government servants, politicians, etc. However, this document is in coded form.”
The scam also allegedly included former Indian Air force Chief, SP Tyagi whom an Italian court gave a clean chit.