AgustaWestland 'middleman', Christian Michel, yet to reveal details to CBI: Report

It's been nearly two weeks that Christian Michel, the alleged "middleman" in the 3600-crore AgustaWestland VVIP chopper case, is in the CBI custody, but the agency has failed to fetch a single detail from the British businessman about the multi-crore scam, according to a report by NDTV. In its last hearing on November 15, Delhi's Patiala House court was also informed that Michel is not cooperating in the investigation process and is evasive in giving answers during interrogation in the VVIP chopper case.

As per the NDTV report on Tuesday, Michel has neither revealed facts about his business dealings nor named the beneficiary of Rs 500-odd crore allegedly paid in India to help aeronautics company AgustaWestland land, the contractor of a dozen helicopters for VVIPs during UPA-1.

During the interrogation process, Michel has always dodged each and every question asked by the CBI and transferred the ball in Guido Haschke's court, the report said. Haschke is another middleman being investigated in the VVIP chopper case.

Read | AgustaWestland Scam: Court extends 'middleman' Christian Michel's CBI custody by 4 days

Denying his knowledge about the payments marked against acronyms like "fam" and "AP", Michel said Haschke made those payments. Ever since the mismatched details of those odd payments came to the light, the BJP has been alleging that 'fam' referred to the ‘Gandhis’ and 'AP' was UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi's ‘political treasurer Ahmed Patel’.

Being asked about the payments made from his accounts, Michel said he was directed to do so by various other companies. In short, the top CBI officers, including Joint director Sai Manohar did not get the cooperation from the middleman that they were hoping for.

In early December, Michel was brought to India following his extradition by Dubai and kept at the CBI headquarters in New Delhi under heavy security. The subsequent day he was produced in Delhi's Patiala House Court and since then has been kept in the CBI custody. His lawyer Ajio K Joseph has moved his bail application to the court.

Read | Congress rattled after Christian Michel’s extradition, sent ‘team’ to save him: BJP

Keeping in mind Michel's elite status, he was provided with a lavish five-star suite, having air-conditioning and other high-class facilities, at the CBI headquarters.