Michel moved plea through his advocate before special judge Arvind Kumar, who directed the jail authorities to file a response to the plea by Monday
Christian James Michel, alleged middleman in AgustaWestland VVIP chopper case, has sought permission from the court to make calls to his family members and his lawyers abroad. Michel, currently lodged in Tihar Prison, told the court that jail authorities rejected his plea seeking the permission.
Michel moved plea through his advocate before special judge Arvind Kumar, who directed the jail authorities to file a response to the plea by Monday.
He has allegedly named "Mrs Gandhi" and "the son of the Italian lady" while in custody, the Enforcement Directorate informed Delhi's Patiala House court on December 29.
The ED claimed that Michel was caught red-handed while passing a chit to his lawyer seeking help on how to deal with questions related to "Mrs Gandhi."
The agency had stated that in one of the contract negotiation documents it was mentioned 'son of an Italian lady' and "he is going to be the next PM". Sources from ED inferred that it could be UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and her son Rahul Gandhi.
In the court, Special Public Prosecutor DP Singh had said: "Michel took name of Mrs Gandhi. We want to ask follow-up questions. His lawyers came and suddenly he handed a chit to them. He was caught red-handed by the doctors giving chit... He was actually seeking some help on what he has to say."
Michel, who was extradited from Dubai, was arrested by the ED on December 22.
The agency is probing bribery allegations in the Rs 3,600-crore 12 AW101 helicopters deal with AgustaWestland that was cancelled in 2013.
There were corruption charges against top Indian Air Force officials and politicians. Michel and two other middlemen – Guido Haschke and Carlo Gerosa – are accused of playing a role in getting the Rs 3,600 crore-deal swung in favour of AgustaWestland.
Michel allegedly also told ED how HAL was removed from the deal and TATA was brought into the picture.
Michel is among the three alleged middlemen being probed in the case by the ED and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The others are Guido Haschke and Carlo Gerosa. The ED, in its charge sheet filed against Michel in June 2016, had alleged that he had received 30 million euros (about Rs 225 crore) from AgustaWestland.
‘Mrs Gandhi’ Link
Michel has allegedly named “Mrs Gandhi” and “the son of the Italian lady” while in custody, the Enforcement Directorate informed Delhi’s Patiala House court on December 29, last year
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