VVIP Chopper Scam: Delhi High Court Seeks Translated Copy Of Dubai SC Order Relating To Christian Michel's Extradition

Advocate Aljo K. Joseph, appearing for Michel, argued that he was exonerated by an Italian court of all charges.

He submitted that the Italian Court had only tried Giuseppe Orsi, the head of AgustaWestland's parent company Finmeccanica, and had acquitted him. Since then, no further action has been taken against other accused in the case, including Michel, and he was assumed to be exonerated.

He claimed that there has been no evidence of bribery and no amounts for bribery has been disbursed as per records of the Italian Court.

This comes after the CBI presented Tabular charts before the Court, explaining the agreements, the money flow, and produced copies of some invoices and payment proofs, to establish that money flowed to Michel's companies.

Joseph added that the Italian Court had also noted that Michel entered the AgustaWestland deal in the end of 2006, and had no role in part of the alleged scam where the change in the altitude from 6,000 m to 4,000m had occurred.

He further pointed out an alleged illegality perpetuating in the case, inasmuch as Michel's Extradition request letter exchanged between India and UAE has not been filed despite lapse of last three years.

It was alleged that the Extradition order passed by a Dubai Court in 2018, which was upheld by the UAE's Supreme Court, was a quid pro quo agreement between Dubai and India as Princess Latifa of Dubai had run away from her father Sheikh Md. bin Rashid Al Maktoum, ruler of Dubai and landed in India.

He further stated that the order records the offences for which Michel was extradited and additional charges cannot be added as per Section 21 of the Extradition Act.

Advocate DP Singh, appearing for CBI, has opposed the bail plea stating that Michel is a British National, with no roots in India, was extradited from Dubai in December 2018- he is a flight risk.

Singh argued that the Extradition letter is a part of the case diary and hence can't be given to the Applicant, but only to the Trial Court and the Court in Dubai. However, he argued that the translated copy of Dubai Supreme Court's order, which has been relied upon by the applicant, is not accurate.

Accordingly, Justice Manoj Ohri, hearing the matter, has asked the CBI to submit the corrected translated version of the said order.

"Mr. D.P. Singh, learned SPP appearing for the respondent/CBI, submits that the copy of the aforesaid judgment relied upon by learned counsel for the applicant is not entirely accurate, as it suffers from translation errors. He seeks some time to place on record the correct translated copy of the said judgment," the order stated.

The matter will be next heard on 20 January, 2022.

Case Title: Christian James Michel v. CBI & connected matters.

Click Here To Download Order