Copter scam: ED seeks Brit middleman’s extradition

The Enforcement Directorate (ED), which is investigating the multi-crore AgustaWestland helicopter deal case, has sought the extradition of British national Christian Michel James on charges of money laundering.

According to sources, the agency has moved an official request in this regard with the Union home ministry with a copy of a court-issued non-bailable warrant and a recently-notified Interpol red-corner notice against Michel. The extradition request, it is understood, has been sent after the ED ascertained James’ movements in either one of the constituents of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) or a European country and it suspects he may leave the said country before the Interpol reaches him. The agency earlier informed a Delhi court that Michel was present in Dubai.

Sources said, “The MHA is looking into the request of the ED.” Sometime back, both the ED and the CBI, which is also investigating the case, had got an Interpol warrant issued against 54-year-old Michel in this case. While the CBI has sought his arrest for “criminal conspiracy, cheating, illegal gratification and abuse of official position”, ED wants him for charges under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Both the agencies have also got RCNs issued against two other alleged middlemen wanted in this case.

Italians Carlo Gerosa and Guido Ralph Haschke — after a special court here had issued non-bailable warrants against them on their separate pleas late last year.

The ED has already attached properties to the tune of Rs 1.12 crore allegedly belonging to Michel in Delhi. The property in the name of a media firm allegedly belonged to Michel, included a flat in posh Safdurjung Enclave area of South Delhi, a luxury car and a fixed deposit of Rs 54 lakh.

The CBI on March 13, 2013 had booked former Indian Air Force (IAF) Chief, S P Tyagi and 13 others under charges of bribery, cheating and corruption in the VVIP chopper deal. The former Air Chief, his cousins—Sanjeev alias Julie, Rajeev alias Docsa and Sandeep, European middlemen Gerosa, Michel and Haschke were among 13 individuals named in the FIR as accused. Six companies including Italy-based Finmeccanica, AgustaWestland, Mohali-based IDS Infotech, Chandigarh-based Aeromatrix, IDS Tunisia and IDS Mauritius had also been named in the FIR.