VVIP Chopper scam: Christian Michel, middleman in the scandal to be extradited to India, says Dubai Court
In a major development in the VVIP Chopper scandal, a UAE court has directed the extradition of UK national Christian Michel James, one of a key accused in the UPA government-era VVIP chopper scam to India. Michel was the middleman in the multicrore AgustaWestland VVIP chopper. He can spill out the names of the Indian politicians and bureaucrats who were paid bribes in the Rs 3,727 crore deal. He may also unlock his relationship with two other middlemen — Guido Haschke and Carlo Gerosa.
Michel's custodial interrogation may help the centre to unravel the mystery behind the 35 million amount that was paid to move the deal in favour of the Italian company. In an Italian court, the judgment that around half of the money was paid to Indian politicians. Michel's extradition will help BJP government to attack Congress over the scandal and get rid of the alleged Rafale deal.
In July, Mr Michel lawyer alleged he was pressurized by Indian agencies to frame Congress senior leader Sonia Gandhi in return for exoneration from criminal proceedings. however, CBI refuted the allegation and said its team had not examined him in the UAE at all.
The AgustaWestland Chopper scam involves a 2007 contract that was signed and approved by the UPA government for the purchase of 12 luxury helicopters for use by top leaders, including the President, Prime Minister and former prime ministers.
First published: 19 September 2018, 10:31 IST