New Delhi: The middleman of AgastaWestland chopper scam case, Christian Michel has brought to New Delhi last night. UAE agreed India’s request to extradite Michel and completed all legal formalities days before.
The crucial decision is taken amid External Affairs minister Sushma Swaraj’s visit to U A E. India has been frequently asking UAE to extradite Michel to India. Michel will be brought to Patyala court today. CBI will request the court to handover Michel so as to make room for questioning him.
AgastaWestland scam dates back to the reign of U P A Government. Michel was the middleman who paid bribes to get contract in favour of AgastaWestland and it’s parent company Finmeccanica. Michel was arrested from Dubai in February.
India made the deal with UK based helicopter manufacturing company in the year 2010 to purchase 12 helicopters for 3600 crore. It was alleged that middlemen including Michel paid 423 crores bribes to officials and Indian politicians to get the contract. It was also alleged that Congress leaders have direct involvement in the scam.
CBI had arrested Air Chief Marshal S P Thyagi, his relative Sanjeev Thyagi and advocate Gowtham Khethan. India cancelled the deal in January 2014 as a case was charged in Italy.
