AgustaWestland: Why getting Michel 'the media fix it man' is important

New Delhi, Apr 28: For the Central Bureau of Investigation, pursuing, James Christian Michel is extremely crucial in a bid to find out who in India had received kickbacks to facilitate the deal.

Michel believed to be in the UK was allegedly paid a sum of Rs 330 crore by AgustaWestland to manage various aspects which also included managing the media in India.

The CBI had got a red corner notice issued against Michel. We are planning on seeking his extradition or at least looking to question him. Michel's main job was to give feedback on the media activities relating to the deal to AgustaWestland. His meetings with some media persons are under our scanner, the CBI official also added.

Pursuing Michel

Michel was a middleman hired by AgustaWestland. His main job was to keep an eye on the media in India and report the narrative regarding the deal to AgustaWestland.

He is an important player in this case, the CBI says. We have some evidence on him which includes the reports he sent out and also the meetings he held with some people in the media, officials also add.

An amount of Rs 330 crore was paid to him for managing various services. He received these amounts in part payments at United Kingdom, the British Virgin Islands and also Tunisia.

In addition to his links with the media, the CBI has also found that he had several assets (benami) in India. A bungalow in Delhi and a luxury car is what the CBI has found and officials say that he had purchased this in a benami name.

We are on the trail to find out more such assets in India, the CBI officer also informed.

While his meetings with several persons are under the scanner, the CBI has learnt that it was through his company Global Services FZE all his activities were managed.

Through this company he managed to keep an eye on the media reports where this deal was concerned. If there was any negative press on the deal, Michel was meant to fix it, the CBI officials also say.

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