The net is closing in on British defence agent Christian Michel who is allegedly involved in the AgustaWestland helicopter scam. Until Italian investigators supplied Indian investigators with information on Michel’s travels to New Delhi, the agencies had been totally clueless about the movements of this elusive arms agent. Exclusive investigation details accessed by The Sunday Standard reveal that 52-year-old Michel landed in Delhi on March 7, 2005.
From March 7 on, Michel stayed in Delhi for 4-5 days and returned to Dubai after interacting with his contacts, who the sleuths are now chasing. Again on April 20, he flew in from Dubai and stayed for two days in Delhi before leaving for London. His visits during the crucial phase is important as, according to a statement issued by the Defence Ministry in February this year, the operational requirements were deliberated over meetings held between March 2005, to September 2006. Investigators decoding the pugmarks of Michel confirmed that the reclusive agent made a subsequent trip every month till November 2005.
07/04/13 Yatish Yadav/New Indian Express
