VVIP Chopper case: Delhi Court extends CBI custody of Christian Michel by five days

CBI had sought extension of his custody for nine days, submitting that he is not cooperating in AgustaWestland probe

British national and alleged middleman in the AgustaWestland VVIP helicopter bribery case Christian Michel is pictured outside a Delhi court on December 5, 2018.

A Delhi court on Monday extended for five days the police remand of Christian Michel, alleged middleman in the ₹3,600-crore AgustaWestland VVIP chopper deal case.

Special Judge Arvind Kumar extended the remand till December 14. The CBI had sought extension of his custody for nine days, submitting that he was not cooperating in the probe.

The judge had on December 5 remanded him in five-day police custody.

Counsel for the accused opposed the CBI plea for extension of the custody submitting that the investigating agency had not confronted his client with any incriminating evidence till date.

Earlier, Mr. Michel withdrew his bail plea and filed a new one with more details.

Mr. Michel, who is a citizen of the United Kingdom, was brought to India on December 4, following his extradition from the UAE in connection with the case.

Former Air Chief Marshal S.P. Tyagi, his cousin Sanjeev Tyagi and lawyer Gautam Khaitan are also accused in the case. The investigating agency had arrested them in December 2016. They are on bail.

The Enforcement Directorate is also prosecuting Mr. Tyagi under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act in the case. Mr. Tyagi had allegedly entered into a conspiracy with the other accused in 2005 and conceded to change the Air Force’s consistent stand that the 6,000-metre service ceiling of VVIP helicopters was an inescapable operational necessity. It was reduced to 4,500 metres. This helped AgustaWestland to meet the eligibility criteria.