A veteran journalist, who once headed a Hindi news channel, has been summoned by the Enforcement Directorate for questioning in connection with the Rs.3,700-crore AgustaWestland VVIP helicopter deal case.
The senior journalist had earlier led the investigating team of an English daily. The ED has come across evidence to suggest that he had links with the fugitive British national Christian Michel, an accused in the helicopter deal case.
ED investigations have indicated that the journalist was one among many who had allegedly been extended hospitality in the form of foreign trips by Mr. Michel, a middleman in the deal. He has, therefore, been summoned to record his statement on his association with Mr. Michel.
The ED has already questioned the retired Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (Maintenance Command), Air Marshal Gautam Nayyar, and the retired Group Captain, Shashi Bhushan Sharma, because their foreign trips were also allegedly funded by Mr. Michel. They have denied any role in any defence deal, including the VVIP helicopter contract. After recording their statement, the agency is learnt to have sought some documents from the Defence Ministry for verification.
The investigations have revealed that Mr. Michel had got travel tickets booked for his contacts through Media Exim Private Limited, set up in 2005 at his behest. He funded their travel to various countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States, the United Arab Emirates, France, Italy, Portugal and Singapore.
Mr. Michel, according to the CBI probe, had allegedly received €30 million to help swing the deal to supply 12 VVIP helicopters in favour of AgustaWestland by bribing Indian officials. Based on the CBI case, the ED has set out to unearth the money trail and attach the alleged proceeds of crime under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
Last week, the ED provisionally attached assets worth Rs.1.12 crore acquired by Christian Michel, including a flat in the posh Safdarjung Enclave of South Delhi and Rs.60 lakh in bank deposits.
