Briton in copter deal had ‘India scholarship’ link

Investigations by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) into the money trail of the alleged kickbacks in the multi-crore AgustaWestland helicopter deal have revealed that British national and alleged middleman in the case, Christian Michel James, who used more than “10 overseas numbers” to remain in touch with his contacts in India for regular updates while negotiations for the Rs 3,600 crore deal for 10 VVIP choppers were on with Indian officials, was also associated with a London-based educational trust which offered scholarships to Indian students studying abroad.

The ED is scrutinising bank account details of certain Indian nationals who were associated with this trust and were in touch with Mr Michel James. ED sources said that the British national was also keen to get details about certain government payments made to the Anglo-Italian defence manufacturer, and that these calls were made from the 10 overseas numbers.

Sources said these numbers included: +6597330898, +33618262994, +6597337898, +971561480135, +971501409344, +477-88723371, +715-08829191 and +478-41374332.

The ED also suspects that a former senior employee of AgustaWestland was allegedly in touch with leaders of an Italian political party, Lega Nord, and paid them 12 million Euro for supporting the firm there.

The ED has already sought extradition of Mr Michel James on charges of money laundering. Sometime back, both the ED and 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”, the ED wants him for charges under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Both the agencies have also got red corner notices issued against two other alleged middlemen wanted in this case — Italians Carlo Gerosa and Guido Ralph Haschke — after a special court here issued non-bilabial warrants against them on their separate pleas late last year.

Both agencies have booked former Indian Air Force Chief S.P. Tyagi and 12 others under charges of bribery, cheating, corruption and money laundering in the AgustaWestland helicopter deal case.