December 10, 2018:
On Monday, the CBI custody of Christian Michel, the alleged middleman in the AgustaWestland helicopter deal, has been extended by five days by the special court.
The Central Bureau of Investigation, which is questioning the British national in the ₹3,600 crore VVIP chopper deal, had asked for nine days citing "non-cooperation".
An officer told the court, "He has been evasive in giving answers during interrogation."
Michel's lawyer had opposed the CBI plea for further custody saying the agency has no incriminating evidence against him.
However, the CBI agreed to provide consular access to the accused.
The Judge said, "We have allowed their plea of keeping their own counsel."
The court has fixed 30 minutes each in morning & evening for his counsel.
Christian Michel had been on the run from Indian authorities in the UAE for more than a year. India had put in an extradition request for Michel in March 2017.
Michel, 54, is one of the three alleged middlemen being investigated over charges of organizing bribes for politicians & bureaucrats to push the chopper deal in India when the Congress-led UPA was in power. The deal involved 12 luxury choppers from AgustaWestland.
For the latest News & Live Updates on Election Results from each assembly constituency in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Mizoram, Chhattisgarh, Telangana, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for updates.
Source Link
Picture Source :