NEED CONSULAR ACCESS TO MICHEL, SAYS UK

NEWDELHI: India on Thursday said it will decide “very soon” on the UK’s request for consular access to British businessman Christian Michel, the alleged middleman in the multimillion-dollar AugustaWestland helicopter deal who was extradited from the UAE.

Michel, 57, arrived in New Delhi shortly before midnight on Tuesday after being extradited from Dubai, renewing focus on the ₹3,600-crore deal for 12 helicopters that was scrapped by the previous UPA government following the allegations of payment of kickbacks.

“I can confirm that we have received a request from the UK high commission seeking consular access. The matter is being examined within the ministry and we will revert to the British high commission very soon,” foreign ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said.

The external affairs ministry had taken up the matter with the United Arab Emirates after receiving two requests from the CBI and Enforcement Directorate for the extradition of Michel.

“Following all due processes and after exhausting of all judicial processes, Christian Michel was extradited to India,” Kumar said, adding that the move reflected the close strategic partnership between India and the

UAE.

The British high commission had said on Wednesday that its staff had “urgently” sought information from Indian authorities on Michel’s circumstances. It had also said that its staff was in contact with Michel’s family and Emirati authorities regarding his case.

People familiar with the developments said the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations did not stipulate a time frame for granting consular access, which in the case of Michel would be granted after completing the necessary formalities.

“The paperwork will be examined and Michel’s consent will also be sought since he must consent to the consular access,” said one person.

The people cited above said there were at least two other instances of British nationals being extradited to India from a third country and thus, there were precedents that could serve as examples in Michel’s case.