The CBI will soon question Christian Michel's driver, Narayan Bahadur, about persons visited by the 'fixer' during his stay in New Delhi. Michel had allegedly travelled over a dozen times to Delhi in the years preceding the negotiations of the deal and its subsequent conclusion in 2010. Bahadur was his driver during those visits.
Sources in the agency said that CBI's prime focus is to question Michel and later issue summons to other accused linked to the case. They say Michel is being confronted with documents running into thousands of pages.
The CBI says Michel entered into as many as 12 contracts through his two firms – Global Trade and Commerce Ltd. London and Global Services FZE, Dubai – with Finmeccanica, AgustaWestland and Westland Helicopters UK to legitimise the illicit commission on the procurement of VVIP helicopters by the Ministry of Defence.
An amount of Euro 42.27million (approximately Rs 295 crore) was paid by the Finmeccanica Group to Michel's firms as kickbacks, without undertaking any work against the receipt of the amount.
Michel was a frequent visitor to India and was allegedly operating as a middleman for defence procurements through a wide network of sources in the IAF and MoD at different levels, including retired and serving IAF officers. When in India, sources said, Bahadur used to take Michel to visit these contacts. When questioned by the Enforcement Directorate, Bahadur had said that he was paid by Michel's firms.
Meanwhile, sources say that Michel is being questioned round the clock, excluding a reasonable period for sleep. He is also under medical observation in CBI custody.
"The CBI has received a request for consular access to Michel by the British High Commission through the Ministry of External Affairs," an officer said. "We are examining the request, and will take necessary action." Michel is a British citizen. He was remanded to five-day CBI custody on Wednesday.
