New Delhi | The Enforcement Directorate today informed the Delhi’s Patiala House Court that Christian Michel, the alleged middleman in the Agusta Westland case during the investigation has revealed the name of UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi.
Informing the Court, the probing agency said,”Christian Michel has taken the name of Mrs Gandhi but in what reference can’t be said right now.” The agency further added that Christian Michel has also spoken about “the son of the Italian lady” and how he is going to become the “next prime minister of the country refering to the Congress President Rahul Gandhi. The agency further added that they need to decipher who the “big man” referred to as “R” is in the communication between Christian Michel and other people. We need to confront Michel with other people to decipher who “the big man” or “R” is.
The agency also sought a ban on Michel’s lawyer’s access to the former alleging he handed chits to his lawyers and that is “being tutored from outside”. In response to the allegation, Ajio Joseph said,” Michel Christian had a query regarding something and how legal response needs to be given. He tried to give us something, we didn’t see what it was, It was immediately pointed out that he was slipping us a paper&paper was taken away.” The Court being strict on this issue ordered Michel’s lawyers to maintain a distance while meeting him. Court restricts the time limit of lawyers to meet Michel to 15 minutes every morning and evening.
The Enforcement Directorate further informed the court that Christian Michel has identified how HAL was removed from the deal and the deal was offered to Tata instead. The agency demanded an extension of Michel’s custody for another 8 day however the Court extended it just 7 days.
Christian Michel James, the alleged middleman in politically-sensitive Rs 3,600-crore AgustaWestland chopper deal, was brought to India on late December 4 night following his extradition by the UAE. Earlier, the UAE Ambassador Ahmed Albana had said that the decision of the extradition of Christian Michel- a British citizen should be left on the judicial system of the United Arab Emirates.
Michel has been accused of influencing politicians, officials and journalists using monetary incentives to procure 12 VVIP helicopters, to be used for the Indian Prime Minister, the President, and other important personalities. The deal signed in 2007, was scrapped in 2013 following the bribery allegations.
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