India

AgustaWestland scam; Christian michel to be extradited in India, Dubai Court says

AgustaWestland scam; Christian michel to be extradited in India, Dubai Court says

AgustaWestland Chopper scam: Dubai court ordered the AgustaWestland VVIP helicopter scandal accused British citizen Christian Michel to be surrendered and extradited soon in India. However, the Dubai Minster’s final stamp on this order is yet to be done. Christian Michel is accused of playing a role of broker in the VVIP Agusta helicopter scandal and gave bribe too many people in India. In 2016, Christian Michel’s lawyer Rosemary Patrizie Dos Anjosos had said that his client is ready to return to India and face trial officers, but they should get the assurance that their arrest will not be possible.

Former Air Force Chief S P Tyagi and his three cousins were granted bail by the Patiala House Court in Delhi on Wednesday(September 12) in the AgustaWestland money laundering case. They were asked to furnish Rs 1 lakh as bail bond with one surety of the same amount.

What is AgustaWestland scam?

Indian Air Force had contracted 12 VVIP choppers in 3600 crores from Agusta, an Italian company in February 2010. When this deal was done, then during the UPA rule under the leadership of Manmohan Singh at the center, the Chief of the Air Force was SP Tyagi. It is believed that for the deal, a bribe of 10 percent near about 350 crore rupees was given. In 2012, the scam was revealed in the deal. In 2013, defense minister AK Antony, while acknowledging corruption, had canceled the deal during the scandal.

India had done this from AgustaWestland Company and the name of the company making the helicopter is Finmeccanica. Italian company Finmeccanica has bribed three of its relatives including former Air Chief SP Tyagi in the deal of 12 Augusta Westland helicopters.

According to the allegations, some technological changes were made in the conditions of tender to enable Agusta Westland helicopter to take part in the deal. In lieu of changing terms, bribe was given by Finmeccanica company. It is alleged that the bribe was given to the former Air Chief SP Tyagi with his three relatives. The bribe was not given directly, it was given by the two companies through IDS Tunisia and IDS India.

About the author

Abhishek Lohia

Abhishek Lohia was a Sports and Political Writer working for Newsfolo and is no longer associated with the organization.

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