AgustaWestland chopper case: Christian Michel tried to go confidential papers to counsel, ED to SC

By ANI

NEW DELHI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday knowledgeable the Apex Court that British citizen Christian Michel, accused within the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper rip-off, has tried to go confidential papers to his counsel on the time of authorized entry.

The ED filed an affidavit within the prime court docket opposing Michel’s bail plea within the case.

“It is submitted that during the course of Michel’s custodial interrogation, the accused has tried to pass confidential papers to his counsel at the time of legal access,” mentioned the ED.

It mentioned that additional investigation within the current case remains to be ongoing and plenty of essential paperwork are required to be collected throughout jurisdictions for the aim of the investigation subsequently it’s strongly apprehended that he would possibly attempt to tamper with the witnesses or proof and impede the judicial course of.

“Christian Michel James during his custodial interrogation undertook to provide the bank statements of his companies and the agreements and other relevant documents. He was also interrogated in Tihar Jail, New Delhi after taking permission from the Trial Court and during that time he also undertook to provide the said documents through the assistance of his lawyers, however, no information has been provided till date,” the affidavit added.

“Michel is a key accused in the instant case and is accused of having played a pivotal role in the entire case, being a middleman engaged by M/s Augusta Westland for obtaining confidential information regarding the procurement process of VVIP helicopters by the government of India and was admittedly paid Euro 42 million for influencing the contract in its favour under the guise of five contracts (two of them revised time and again) through two of his firms namely M/s Global Trade & Commerce Ltd. London and M/s Global Services FZE, Dubai, UAE with M/s Finmeccanica, M/s Agusta Westland, M/s Westland Helicopters UK etc. to legitimize the illicit commission/kickbacks on the procurement of VVIP Helicopters by Ministry of Defense, India which constitutes a grave economic offence,” ED added in its affidavit.

The investigating company informed the bench that the function of Michel is clearly established and the offence of cash laundering is squarely made out in opposition to him.

Earlier, the apex court docket had issued notices to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and ED on the bail petitions of Michel in reference to the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper rip-off being probed by the businesses.

Advocate showing for Michel had contended earlier than the highest court docket that the investigations are nonetheless not accomplished and he has undergone three years and 6 months as of now and earlier than extradition, he was in Dubai custody.

Michel had challenged within the apex court docket the March 11 order of the Delhi High Court which had refused to grant him bail.

In the High Court, ED and CBI had opposed the bail petition filed by Michel in reference to the VVIP chopper case.

CBI had mentioned that he has a flight danger and it fears that due to the way in which the British authorities helps him, he would possibly flee and can by no means return.

Michel had contended earlier than the High Court that every one the opposite accused within the case bought bail in 60 days and he’s the one one who hasn’t been given the bail and is struggling incarnation.

READ HERE | AgustaWestland case: SG is Sushen Gupta not Sonia Gandhi, clarifies ED

According to the bail petition, Michel mentioned that as a bail situation he can be obtainable to hitch the investigation and trial as and when required and has by no means sought to evade the method of regulation.

Earlier, the trial court docket had rejected his bail plea and had proven its displeasure with the British High Commission for sending a letter addressed to it stating that the medical situation of Michel and his pre-trial detention of two and half years could also be taken under consideration when his bail utility is taken into account.

Christian Michel James was extradited in 2018 after India gained the extradition case in Dubai. Christian Michel, the alleged intermediary within the deal, was deported from the UAE and is presently in judicial custody.

The Dubai-based businessman Rajeev Saxena was extradited to India on January 31, 2019, in reference to the Rs 3,600-crore alleged rip-off referring to the acquisition of 12 VVIP helicopters from AgustaWestland.

NEW DELHI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday knowledgeable the Apex Court that British citizen Christian Michel, accused within the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper rip-off, has tried to go confidential papers to his counsel on the time of authorized entry.

The ED filed an affidavit within the prime court docket opposing Michel’s bail plea within the case.

“It is submitted that during the course of Michel’s custodial interrogation, the accused has tried to pass confidential papers to his counsel at the time of legal access,” mentioned the ED.

It mentioned that additional investigation within the current case remains to be ongoing and plenty of essential paperwork are required to be collected throughout jurisdictions for the aim of the investigation subsequently it’s strongly apprehended that he would possibly attempt to tamper with the witnesses or proof and impede the judicial course of.

“Christian Michel James during his custodial interrogation undertook to provide the bank statements of his companies and the agreements and other relevant documents. He was also interrogated in Tihar Jail, New Delhi after taking permission from the Trial Court and during that time he also undertook to provide the said documents through the assistance of his lawyers, however, no information has been provided till date,” the affidavit added.

“Michel is a key accused in the instant case and is accused of having played a pivotal role in the entire case, being a middleman engaged by M/s Augusta Westland for obtaining confidential information regarding the procurement process of VVIP helicopters by the government of India and was admittedly paid Euro 42 million for influencing the contract in its favour under the guise of five contracts (two of them revised time and again) through two of his firms namely M/s Global Trade & Commerce Ltd. London and M/s Global Services FZE, Dubai, UAE with M/s Finmeccanica, M/s Agusta Westland, M/s Westland Helicopters UK etc. to legitimize the illicit commission/kickbacks on the procurement of VVIP Helicopters by Ministry of Defense, India which constitutes a grave economic offence,” ED added in its affidavit.

The investigating company informed the bench that the function of Michel is clearly established and the offence of cash laundering is squarely made out in opposition to him.

Earlier, the apex court docket had issued notices to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and ED on the bail petitions of Michel in reference to the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper rip-off being probed by the businesses.

Advocate showing for Michel had contended earlier than the highest court docket that the investigations are nonetheless not accomplished and he has undergone three years and 6 months as of now and earlier than extradition, he was in Dubai custody.

Michel had challenged within the apex court docket the March 11 order of the Delhi High Court which had refused to grant him bail.

In the High Court, ED and CBI had opposed the bail petition filed by Michel in reference to the VVIP chopper case.

CBI had mentioned that he has a flight danger and it fears that due to the way in which the British authorities helps him, he would possibly flee and can by no means return.

Michel had contended earlier than the High Court that every one the opposite accused within the case bought bail in 60 days and he’s the one one who hasn’t been given the bail and is struggling incarnation.

READ HERE | AgustaWestland case: SG is Sushen Gupta not Sonia Gandhi, clarifies ED

According to the bail petition, Michel mentioned that as a bail situation he can be obtainable to hitch the investigation and trial as and when required and has by no means sought to evade the method of regulation.

Earlier, the trial court docket had rejected his bail plea and had proven its displeasure with the British High Commission for sending a letter addressed to it stating that the medical situation of Michel and his pre-trial detention of two and half years could also be taken under consideration when his bail utility is taken into account.

Christian Michel James was extradited in 2018 after India gained the extradition case in Dubai. Christian Michel, the alleged intermediary within the deal, was deported from the UAE and is presently in judicial custody.

The Dubai-based businessman Rajeev Saxena was extradited to India on January 31, 2019, in reference to the Rs 3,600-crore alleged rip-off referring to the acquisition of 12 VVIP helicopters from AgustaWestland.