Britain to get consular access to Michel soon
Treatment of UK man may have bearing on extradition request
NEWDELHI: The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is likely to let British high commission officials meet Christian Michel soon, Indian officials said on Thursday. The British request for consular access to Michel, the alleged middleman in the AugustaWestland helicopter deal,is being considered, CBI officers said.
Michel, 57, arrived in New Delhi shortly before midnight on Tuesday following his extradition from the United Arab Emirates, renewing the focus on the alleged ₹3,600-crore deal for 12 AgustaWestland helicopters signed and scrapped by the previous Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government.
The deal has now turned into the subject of a political fight between the opposition party and the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
“We have received a request for consular access to Michel sought by the British high commission here. Depending upon his interrogation schedule, we will work out a date and time for it,” said an agency official who asked not to be named. A CBI spokesperson confirmed that the request for consular access was being examined.
A foreign ministry spokesperson said India will respond to the British request “very soon”.
Michel was questioned for the second day on Thursday, and the CBI has his custody until at least December 10 before the court looks at its possible extension.
Countries routinely seek consular access to their citizens accused of crimes on foreign land under international law, usually to enquire into the wellbeing of the individuals or if they need legal assistance.
According to experts, the consular access and the treatment provided to Michel are likely to have a bearing on India’s pending requests to the UK for extradition of fugitives like Vijay Mallya and Nirav Modi.
“Michel is an accused and not a convict. He should be treated with all the sensitivity required in this kind of matter and keeping in mind that he is only an accused... The treatment provided to him will impact India’s extradition requests pending in the UK and other countries too,” said lawyer AK Wali, who has handled several extradition cases on behalf of the government.