AgustaWestland chopper scam: Christian Michel likely to be extradited to India

Mangalore Today News Network

Dubai, Dec 04, 2018 : The Dubai government passed an administrative order paving the way for the extradition of Christian Michel, the alleged middleman in the Rs 3,600 crore AgustaWestland chopper deal case, according to several media reports.

 

 

Economic Times reported that Indian authorities are currently in Dubai to complete the legal formalities. The order was awaited after a top Dubai court upheld a lower court’s order in November to consider the possibility of extraditing Michel.

CNN-News18 reported that Michel is likely to be brought to India by a 9 pm flight on Tuesday. After his extradition, he will be produced before the Patiala House court, the Prevention of Money Laundering Act court, and CBI court.

The significant development comes just months ahead of the 2019 Lok Sabha election. There have been allegations against former prime minister Manmohan Singh, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, and Congress leader Ahmed Patel in the case.

A UAE court in September rejected all the contentions raised by Michel’s counsel opposing the extradition plea by the Indian authorities. Michel’s counsel argued that he may be "exposed to inhuman treatment" and that the case against the accused was "political" in nature.

The court, however, said that "the extradition request had no objectives €" political or racial or religious, but rather the purpose of which is to prosecute him for a criminal offense." and, therefore... "do not prevent the court from surrendering as long as it appears from the file of restitution that the extradition request is not related to reasons other than the crime committed by the wanted person."

The UAE government approached the court in August asking if Michel, a British national, could be extradited to a third country: India.

In January, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) lodged a request with the UAE authorities for extraditing Michel. Both the ED and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had filed chargesheets in bribery cases in Indian courts and non-bailable warrants had been issued against the accused.

In 2017, a red corner notice was issued against Michel by the Interpol on a request by the CBI. Red corner notices were also issued against two Italians involved in the case €" Carlo Gerosa and Guido Haschke. According to Indian investigative agencies, Michel had received at least Rs 235 crore for ensuring that the chopper contract went to AgustaWestland.