VVIP choppers deal: Fresh ED chargesheet names middleman Michel James

June 15, 2016 16:06

The Enforcement Directorate has filed a fresh charge sheet, delving specifically into the role of British national and alleged middleman Christian Michel James and his few Indian associates, in connection with its money laundering probe in the Rs 3,600 crore VVIP chopper deal.

The over 1,300 page prosecution complaint (ED's equivalent for charge sheet) has been placed before a special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court in New Delhi early this week and it has said that agency's investigation into the case has found that Michel received Euro 30 million (about Rs 225 crore) from Ms AgustaWestland which was nothing but "kickbacks" paid by the firm to execute the 12 helicopter deal in favour of the firm in "guise of" of genuine transactions for performing multiple work contracts in the country.

The court is expected to soon take cognisance of the supplementary charge sheet, agency sources said.

Michel is one of the three middlemen being probed in the case, apart from Guido Haschke and Carlo Gerosa, by the Enforcement Directorate and the CBI and both the agencies have also notified an Interpol Red Corner Notice (RCN) or the global arrest warrant against him after court issued a non-bailable warrant against him.

Michel was extensively interviewed by Indian media in Dubai recently and both the agencies want him to join probe.

This is the second charge sheet filed in the case by ED which goes into the detailed role of Michel in the deal, his multiple visits to India and his transactions. The first charge sheet was filed by the agency in the case in November, 2014.

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