AgustaWestland scam: CBI to request UAE to extradite 'middleman' Christian Michel

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is set to send a request to the designated central authorities of UAE, seeking the extradition of Christine Michelle James, the alleged middleman in the Rs 3,600-crore AgustaWestland VVIP chopper scam.

According to sources, the investigation revealed that James is one of the key middlemen in the VVIP Helicopters purchase from AgustaWestland.

Extradition is important to take forward the investigation regarding bribes paid to bureaucrats and politicians.

This development came three days after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) filed a chargesheet against James and two other middlemen.

James, has been accused by the CBI and the ED of working at the behest of AgustaWestland and its parent Italian major Finmeccanica.

He has also been accused of routing funds to India meant to bribe officials.

Earlier, he had asserted that he never met Congress President Sonia Gandhi, and that he is ready to be questioned by Indian investigators, as he wants to clear his name.

Earlier this month, the ED reportedly conducted searches on the premises in the city of Suraj Prakash Mehra, a businessman who was allegedly in contact with Christian Michel.