At last, the middleman Christian Michel has started revealing the roles of Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Ratan Tata in the AgustaWestland Helicopter scam. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) told the Court that Michel’s custody is needed as he started revealing the roles of Sonia Gandhi in the VVIP Copter scam involving Rs.400 crores kickback payoffs. Michel has handled around Rs.276 crores bribery routed through his firms in Dubai and India from Agusta, for the purchase of 12 VVIP Helicopters deal of Rs.3600 crores.
The Court has now cut short the meeting time of lawyers with the accused and ordered that they should keep three feet distance from Michel while sending him to further seven days custody of ED on Saturday.
The ED also told the court that they seized many communications in which Michel refers to Rahul Gandhi as “Italian lady’s son” “going to be the PM”. Another revelation by the agency was the role of Ratan Tata in the Agusta deal. Tata Group’s India Rotorcraft was selected as the partner of Agusta in 2010 and the Joint Venture was started in further purchase and assembling of Agusta Helicopter’s other brands in India. The Tata firm was selected after avoiding the public sector undertaking HAL. The then Defence Secretary Vijay Singh was involved in helping Tata who was considered as the approving authority in the Helicopter deal. After retirement, Vijay Singh became a Director of Tata Sons.
The Defence Secretary Vijay Singh’s role in Agusta scam was exposed earlier by industrialist Cyrus Mistry[1]. Ratan Tata deposed in the Italian trial court also. Somehow due to media management of the Tata Group, Indian media avoided reporting Ratan Tata’s role in the controversy. Now ED has informed the trial court based on the revelations by Michel.
The agency also informed the court about the frauds of Michel’s advocate Aljo Joseph, who belonged (?) to the Youth Congress. ED officers caught Michel for handing over slips to Aljo and the slips were about the officers’ questions regarding Sonia Gandhi. Now it is clear that Congress purposefully deputed Youth Congress lawyers to act as courier boys with Michel in custody of agencies.
“During the medical examination, Mr. Christian Michel James stood up and turned towards his advocate Mr. Aljo Joseph standing next to him and acted like shaking hands with the advocate and saying him good-bye and extended his hands for hand-shake. It was noticed that Mr. Christian Michel James secretly handed over a folded paper to his counsel Mr. Aljo Joseph. The incident was noticed by the Deputy Director present in the room and Joseph was asked to turn over the paper to them,” said ED seeking prevention of the Youth Congress activist Advocate who acted as a courier boy.
The Court has now cut short the meeting time of lawyers with the accused and ordered that they should keep three feet distance from Michel while sending him to further seven days custody of ED on Saturday.
As per the analysis of the agencies, out of around Rs.400 crores bribe, Rs.276 crores went to political level and rest, around Rs.125 crores, went to officials. Christian Michel from 1998 to October 2012, visited more than 300 times to India and it is known to all that he was having good relations with Sonia Gandhi. It is also learned that CBI is inspecting the SPG documents to verify the exact details of Michel’s meeting with Sonia Gandhi and family members[2].
Investigations are expected to broaden on the role of Christian Michel in executing and lobbying for many aviation contracts from the mid-90s, where he clinched the deals only due to his proximity with the Sonia Gandhi family. It is learned that Michel was involved in bagging tender of old used helicopters at junk price also. Michel and his late father Wolfgang Michel were the agents of many foreign aviation firms in India due to their close links with Sonia Gandhi, who used to stay at their home in London many times.
References:
[1] Tata Sons Director Vijay Singh ‘involved’ in AgustaWestland scam: Cyrus Mistry – Dec 12, 2016, DNAIndia.com
[2] CBI to verify SPG records to ascertain Christian Michel’s meetings with Sonia Gandhi – Dec 21, 2018, PGurus.com
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Why the fact that the media here were also bribed to help Augusta clinch the deal is not being given the importance it deserves? Political corruption is not news but for the first the real and ugly face of the media is being revealed. It deserves full expose.
Mr. swamy. I remember a case against PC in delhi regarding his. nvolvement The court turned down investigation. Can that be revived with current revelations in aircell maxis, col purohit, ishrat jahan, sorabudin etc
Another term for Modi seems little doubtful, if media coverage of politics is any guide. Whatever the end result of the coming election, the present Modi govt. should come down heavily of these corrupt Cong. netas and others in sharing the spoils and ensure that they never go scot free. Repercussion will understandably be chorus of vendetta, etc. but let it be so. That will be the greatest service to the nation from the present Modi govt. and people will for ever remember this with big sigh of relief.
ACCIDENTAL PRIME MINISTER MR MANMOHAN SINGH SHOULD BE BROUGHT UNDER INVESTIGATION IN AUGUSTA WESTLAND CHOPPER SCAM, SINCE HE WAS THE APPROVING AUTHORITY AS HEAD OF CCS. MORE SO, WHEN THEN SECRETARY OF STATE HILLARY CLINTON RAISED THE POINT, WHEN IT WAS NOT PART OF THE AGENDA OF US-INDIA TALKS, THAT US REJECTED AUGUSTA WESTLAND VVIP HELICOPTERS ON THE GROUND OF HIGH COST & HENCE NOT WORTH BUYING, HOW COME INDIA, A POOR COUNTRY, GOING AHEAD WITH PURCHASE OF THIS EXCESSIVELY HIGH COST HELICOPTERS. MR MANMOHAN SINGH MAY NOT BE PERSONALLY BENEFITTED OUT OF THIS SCAM, BUT HE CANNOT OBVIATE HIS LIABILITY TO FACE THE LAW, FOR DERELICTION OF DUTY. HE COULD HAVE SCRAPPED THE DEAL, WHEN HILLARY CLINTON RAISED THE POINT, [ MORE SO, IT WAS NOT IN THE AGENDA OF US-INDIA TALKS WITH PM SINGH ]. HE SHOULD BE MADE TO FACE THE LAW AND MEET THE PUNISHMENT FOR HIS TOTAL DERELICTION OF DUTY IN 2-G, COAL SCAM, CWG SCAM, ADARSH HOUSING SCAM, AUGUSTA WETLAND SCAM AND MANY OTHER DEFENCE DEALS OR GOI DEALS, WHICH ARE BURIED BY VESTED INTEREST.
IF, BJP GOVT, TRIES TO BAIL OUT THE THEN PM DR MAN MOHAN SINGH, THEN PROVING THE GUILT OF SONIA, RAHUL, ROBBERT VADRA, RATAN TATA IN THE CHOPPER SCAM SOLELY WITH THE STATEMENT OF CHRISTIAL MICHEL WILL BE A DISASTER, ALL THE ACCUSED WILL BE LET OUT FREE BY THE TRIAL COURT, ON THE GROUND THE CHARGES HAVE NOT BEEN PROVED BEYOND REASONABLE DOUBT.
GOVT SHOULD BRING AN IMMEDIATE AMENDMENT IN CrPc [ ATLEAST IN POLITICAL CORRUPTION CASES INVOLVING POLITICIANS, BUREAUCRATS, MINISTERS, OFFICIALS ETC] WHEREBY THE ONUS PROVING GUILTY BY PROSECUTION BEYOND DOUBT DURING TRIAL BE SUITABLY AMENDED WITH ” ONUS OF PROVING INNOCENCE BEYOND DOUBT REST WITH THE ACCUSED” THIS ALONE WILL ENSURE THE GUILTY GETTING THE SUITABLE PUNISHMENT FOR THEIR WRONG DOING, ALBEIT BELATEDLY. IN THE PRESENT PROVISION OF CrPc ONUS OF PROVING GUILTY ON THE PROSECUTION WILL RENDER THE WHOLE CORRUPTION CASE IS TORPEDOED, IF THERE IS CHANGE OF GOVT AT THE CENTRE, NEW PROSECUTOR WILL PLAY A PASSIVE ROLE IN BAILING OUT ALL THE ACCUSED / ALLEGED OFFENDERS. MR MODI / MR RAVI SHANKAR PRASAR ARE YOU LISTENING ? CURRENTLY PARLIAMENT IS IN SESSION UPTO 11TH JAN 2019, IT IS POSSIBLE TO CARRY OUT THE AMENDMENT IN CrPc BY THEN OR IN BUDGET SESSION OR JOINT SESSION. WILL THE BJP GOVT HAS THE GUTS DO THAT ?
You are right Jayasankar. In fact, Manmohan should have been charge-sheeted as PRIME ACCUSED & arrested in the Coal-Scam itself because he was the one who allotted the maximal number of coal mines at throw-away prices.
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The manner in which Modi is trying to shield Gang-Leaders like Manmohan, Chidambaram through their Trojan-Horse Jaitley forces me to conclude Modi is not one bit interested in punishing the Mega-Scamsters
May be Modi Saab is thinking that, when out of power, Congress will pounce on him with re-opening of all cases started by them against him. Or may be whatever played out is all drama and only for the shake of earning political mileage, of-course, by fooling people.
JAYASANKAR .V. Your suggestion on CrPC is correct.
Problem is with the Judiciary ready to give “bails” in an hour to crooks and extensions for too many times!!
Dynasty spread its hold on the entire administration and the Judiciary for the next two decades.
Hence,JAYASANKAR’s suggestion is the best route to hasten the process.
With regard, to Dr.MMS and his coterie, BJP may not be interested and may be ready to issue him a good and hones PM certificate!! But MMS issues harsh statements on BJP and the government!!
BJP lost four good years to prosecute in the name of de-dusting files/searching for missing documents/files. Government has time till February 2019 !! It’s Dr.S.Swamy saved face of the BJP lead government with his perfect cases which are yielding good results. As of today it seems BJP’s LS elections tally may drop (God forbid) from 282 in 2014 to 200 in 2019.
Now watch out for KGB agents to kill someone in Delhi / accidental deaths or unnatural deaths…to protect Italian bar maid who is a KGB agent.
The noose is getting tightened. Biggest development in entire Indian history. Credits to Dr. Swamy & Mr.Ajit Doval -true sons of India
This is like a movie saga. Since 1947, congress ruthlessly ruled the country where people are sentimental fools. ALL big industrial houses for their survival during licence Raj, HAD to kneel before congress while the beurocrats and few journalists enjoyed their patronage.
One South Indian family who were related to GK Reddy, reputed columnist of THE HINDU, got out of turn favours as the journalist was close to I Gandhi.A member of the group is declared as wilful defaulter of Rs 3500 crores. Same scenario is repeating today. Birlas indirectly funded MK Gandhi who lived on a luxurious diet of Goat milk and dry fruits.
Somehow bribe takers in power in India project the face of Rama and require the help of a hanuman for taking bribes. Go to any subregistrar office and get land registered and to complete this honourable task nearly 8 people will share ‘inams ‘. What is the fault of Michael ? He is a Dalal like middlemen in diamond , agri, real estate, banking etc trades and who legitimised his role , the congi party. Definition of illegal and legal changes with ONE signature and to prove it in man made courts it takes light years.
Where does the buck stop ? It stops not with the kneeling netas, but with us who live in an ambience where truth, honesty and efficiency are buried.
Not so fast Another 20+ years by then she would have died a natural death Thanks to corrupt judiciary
No need to spare Gandhis this time. Somehow, they were shielded in the Bofors scandal. They shouldn’t think that the are immune from justice or outside legal jurisdiction.
Leave alone CONFIRMED Corrupt Crooks like Chidamabaram who go on the bandwagon to LOOT and SCOOT along with Sonia-Rahul Combo. but the entire India is flabbergasted to see many Pseudo-educated Chamchas like: Maun M. Singh, Kapil Sibal, Salman Kurshid, Abishek Manu Singhvi [Absolute Mafia StupidVi], Kerala Antony, Scindia, Sach Pilot who fall flat prostating at the feet of Sonia and Rahul taking orders from these confirmed anti-India Mother-Son duo TOP Rogues. Have ALLl these dumb Chamchas lost their minds and cannot figure out what is really right and wrong. Can’t but laugh at these unadulterated Drohis starting from Maun Mohan Singh. Pathetic to see what has gone on in the Post-independent Congress ruled India that still continues to prove Mr. W. Churchill right, youare fit to remain as SLAVES It is because as a nation we are full of Crooks who rise to the TOP to lead. rule to PLUNDER us. We are a Confirmed lot, an immoral bad stock only good at the task of fighting amongst ourselves ruining ourselves. It stinks to see we have no honest people who do not really lead us but CHEAT and FAIL us Miserably, be it Tata or Sonia-Rahul, PCor the Chamchas of the political parties.
There are many snakes, wolves and foxes at the to TOP Levels of Indian Administration be it – NETAS [BJP, Congress, CPI, CPM, DMK, AIADMK, myriad regional ilks]. the Indian Bureaucracy, Corporate structure who should be dragged to Court without subjective bias, fear or favour no matter what position they hold. Only then honesty, integrity, morality would prevail and the new order will emerge. Mr. Ratan Tata was spared, selectively protected WELL when Neera Radia’s tape came up as strong evidence in a mega scam under the UPA regime.Now, it surfaces again. Like wise, Modi and AJ should keep their corporate sponsors like Adhani and Ambani at arms length if Truth and Justice is to be delivered. No matter what you are, the Govt. and the current Admin. should deal with this corruption issue UNBIASED to instlll faith in the System. Set appropriate SOPs to weed out Corruption at the TOP. Arun Jaitley should not extend special treatment to save colleagues in the opposition camps. Great Work if Michel will spill out ALL the beans. Bring back Vijay Mallya, Nirav and Mehul Bhais besides getting PC-Karti in the Aicell-Maxis net. India is on its way to recovery and becoming a Superpower.
Italian Madam caught finally
Not so fast Another 20+ years by then she would have died a natural death Thanks to corrupt judiciary
1) Kapil Siball has NOT yet entered the court – he will come in defense of Italian bar girl
2) Later Abhishek Manu Singhvi will enter the court – he will come in defense of Italian bar girl
3) Later Priyanka Vadra will enter the court with watery eyes & seeking pardon for they have sacrificed blood & life in serving the nation
4) Then Pappu will enter the court saying, first GET that person (Narendra Modi) who has written that – “mera baap & meri maa both are chor” & then only punish meri maa
5) First persecute Narendra Modi for Rafale deal for I am the witness & NO one else !!
1) Sushil Shinde will come to Italian bar girl defense
2) Chidambaram cannot join because his dhoti is stuck or held by Dr. Swamy tightly
3) Antony is too faraway in Kerala to come to rescue