AugustaWestland: Michel says he had not mentioned any name, alleges politics in probe
New Delhi, Apr 5 (UNI): British businessman Christian Michel, alleged middleman in the VVIP choppers deal scandal, on Friday, submitted in a Patiala House court that he had never named anyone to the Directorate of Enforcement, the investigating agency which had filed a supplementary charge sheet in the case.
Central Bureau of Investigation had asserted that Mr Michel had entered into 12 contracts with armaments major AgustaWestland to legitimise illicit commission and kickbacks of Euro 42.27 million received on procurement of VVIP helicopters by Government of India. After CBI, Directorate of Enforcement also initiated proceedings against Mr Michel under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
Mr Michel was produced before a CBI court on December 5 last year after his extradition to India from Dubai and is at present in judicial custody.
Counsel for Mr Michel submitted that the Centre was using the probe to pursue its political agenda. Mr Michel further submitted that he was shocked how the copy of the charge sheet was leaked to media before it was provided to him and even the cognizance was taken by the court.
The Enforcement Directorate on Thursday, filed a supplementary charge sheet of more than 2,000 pages against Mr Michel and others in the court of Special Judge Arvind Kumar who set further hearing for April 6, Saturday.
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