CBI to seek extradition of chopper deal middleman

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has decided to seek the extradition of alleged middleman Christian Michel James, an accused in the Rs 3,600 crore AgustaWestland helicopter deal, from the UAE, sources said on Friday.

"CBI has decided to send a request to designated central authorities of UAE (United Arab Emirates) seeking extradition of fugitive Christian Michel James through prescribed channel," an informed source told IANS.

The agency took the decision to seek the extradition of James after its investigating teams confirmed his role as a key middleman in the AgustaWestland deal, the source said.

It is also learnt that some bureaucrats and politicians are on the radar of CBI sleuths in the case but they want to question James before taking any action against them.

"Extradition is also important to take forward the investigation regarding bribes paid to bureaucrats and politicians," the source further added.

James reportedly received around Rs 225 crore from AgustaWestland in kickbacks paid by the firm to execute the deal for 12 helicopters in its favour in the "guise of" transactions for performing multiple work contracts in the country.

An amount of Rs 6.33 crore was routed to India through James' shell company Media Exim from his Dubai-based company Global Services FZE.

James and two other middlemen, Guido Ralph Haschke and Carlo Gerosa, have been named as the accused in separate investigations conducted by the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

Both the agencies have issued an Interpol Red Corner Notice (RCN) against James, after a city court issued a non-bailable warrant against him.

An Italian court has revealed that James, a resident of London, was working as a consultant in India for AgustaWestland's AWA101 helicopter deal.

Investigators said James is currently staying in Dubai from where he has been running his companies.

--IANS

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