VVIP chopper scam: ED says Agusta kickbacks routed to multiple entities

Agency issues letter rogatory to half a dozen nations to establish money trail

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has found fresh evidence to show that the alleged kickback of 30 million euro, which Christian Michel had received for facilitating the AgustaWestland chopper deal, was routed to six persons to their overseas accounts. The kickback money is learnt to have been parked in around six to seven countries — mostly tax havens.   

The probe agency suspects that these six persons, who seem to be the ultimate beneficiaries of the alleged scam, were instrumental in signing a contract with the government in 2014, sources said. 

Michel is among the three middlemen facing money laundering charges in the Rs 3,600-crore VVIP chopper scam. The others are Guido Haschke and Carlo Gerosa. 

The probe agency has issued letter rogatory (LR) to six countries seeking judicial assistance to find the genesis of complex money trail between Michel and these persons, said a senior official privy to the development. However, Michel is not cooperating with the agency during the custodial interrogation ending in 48 hours, the official said. He will be presented in the Patiala Court on Saturday. “The interrogation is underway. He has been confronted with fresh evidence showing that he has received the money even though the deal had been called off. Later, the money went to multiple accounts abroad,’’ the official said. 

The ED is hopeful that Michel would reveal the names of the beneficiaries and the role of accused persons in the commission of the offence, he said.  Michel, who was extradited from Dubai recently, was arrested by the ED on December 22 and sent to seven days of custody over money laundering charges in the case. 

Sources pointed out that the probe agency has learnt about the modus operandi that the alleged accused adopted to pursue the deal at various levels. 

Meanwhile, the probe agency is also seeking clarity on the names, connect and relationships Michel has referred to in the statement to ED.

ED, in its remand application, had presented Michel’s statement, referring to the Gandhi family’s involvement in the deal.  His statement, however, is pending on key findings to understand the motive and conspiracy.  But sources said it was quite clear that kickbacks were given not only to Michel but to other people, including bureaucrats and politicians, who were involved in influencing the deal.

ED cracks the whip

• Christian Michel extradited from UAE in December
• ED arrests Michel and seeks custody over money-laundering charges
• He has allegedly received 30 million euro from Agusta- Westland as kickback
• Kickback received by him went to multiple accounts overseas, ED finds
• Fresh evidences showed ultimate beneficiaries and the money trail
• Probe agency issued LR to 6 countries to establish the money trail 
• Michel, who is currently in ED custody, is not cooperating 
• He has been evasive about the role of various entities in the scam
• He will be presented in the Patiala House Court on Saturday 
• He was allegedly instrumental in signing VVIP chopper deal with the govt in 2014