Appeared for Michel in professional capacity, no Cong connect: Lawyer

Defending his meeting with Congress general secretary Deepak Babaria at the party headquarters here soon after Rs 3,600 crore AgustaWestland helicopter deal middleman Christian Michel was sent to five-day CBI custody by a special court, lawyer Aljo K Joseph said that he represented Michel in his 'professional capacity' in the special CBI court, which has nothing to do with the Congress.

"I am an actively practicing advocate. I appeared for him (Michel) in my professional capacity. If somebody asks me to appear on behalf of a client...I've only discharged my duty as a lawyer. It has nothing to do with the Congress," Joseph told ANI.

"My relation with the Congress is separate. My profession is separate. One of my friends, who was having some Dubai connection, through him the lawyer in Italy had requested me to help him. So, I was just helping in appearing and assisting him in this matter," Joseph said while admitting that he is the national in-charge for Indian Youth Congress' legal wing.

Michel, who arrived in the national capital in the wee hours of Wednesday after being extradited from Dubai, was produced before a special CBI court.

Special Public Prosecutor Advocate DP Singh appeared for the CBI in the special court. The CBI counsel had asked for 14 days custody of Michel, stating that "we need his custody to confront him with some important documents." Michel's counsel Joseph, however, opposed the CBI's demand.

Michel has moved a bail plea. The court, however, kept it pending for the next hearing. The court allowed Michel's counsel one hour each in the morning and evening for consultations with his client.