VVIP Chopper Scam: Christian Michel Names “Mrs Gandhi”, ED Tells Court

New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Saturday made a sensational revelation  before the Patiala House Court here, saying that Agusta Westland scam accused Christian Michel has taken the name of Congress leader Sonia Gandhi during interrogation.

According to media reports, ED told before the Court that Michel made specific reference  about “Mrs Gandhi” and the “son of an Italian lady” who was “going to become the next prime minister of India. However, it remained unclear in what reference he took their names.

Michel also revealed during his interrogation on December 27 how Hindustan Aeronautical Limited was dropped from the controversial chopper deal which subsequently offered to the Tatas, ED disclosed before the Court.

Michel is among the three accused middlemen being probed in the chopper scam by ED and CBI. The others are Guido Haschke and Carlo Gerosa. The investigating agencies allege a loss of Rs 2,666 crore to the exchequer in the deal signed in February 2010 for purchasing the VVIP choppers.

According to political observers, ED’s revelation before the Court could shape the political narrative in the country as both ruling BJP and opposition Congress take their respective positions ahead of the Lok Sabha polls due in the next six months.

BJP was quick to hit out at Congress following the sensational disclosure in Court today, accusing the party of corruption and compromising with national security.

“Now the picture is more clear because he (Michel) has said things like son of Italian lady, R, party leader, big man…all this is coming out now,” Javadekar told reporters.

Congress, on the other hand, sensed a rat at Michel’s disclosure before the ED, alleging that he was being pressurised by the government to name a “particular family”.

“Why is the chowkidaar trying to pressurise the government agencies to name a family? BJP script writers are working overtime,” Congress leader RPN Singh was quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

While seeking extension of Michel’s custody today, ED said it needs to find out who the “big man” referred to as “R” iin the Michel’s communication with others.

Media reports said that ED told the Court that Michel was misusing the liberty of legal assistance during his interrogation by passing chits to lawyers asking how to deal with questions on the Congress leaders.