Michel denies naming anyone, says ED leaked chargesheet to media

April 6, 2019

New Delhi: Christian Michel, an accused in the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper scam case, denied before a Delhi court on April 5 that he had ever named anybody in connection with the deal during investigation and said that Enforcement Directorate (ED) had leaked the supplementary charge sheet to the media before sharing it with him.

Special Judge Arvind Kumar, who issued notice to the ED and sought its reply by April 6 when the matter will be again taken up, The Hindu and other national dailies reported.

Michel, who accused the central government of was using its agencies for political agenda, filed an application following appearance of news reports the ED in its charge sheet has named UPA leaders, defence personnel, bureaucrats and journalists as the beneficiaries of the controversial defence deal.

Mr. Michel’s counsel Aljo K. Joseph said, “Michel has not named anyone in his statement before the agency which is being leaked to media. This is only to make the matter sensational and prejudice the case against my client.” He claimed that the copy of the charge sheet, which was filed on April 4, was provided to the media before it was provided to Mr. Michel. He has questioned as to how the charge sheet was leaked to the media even before its cognisance was taken by the court,” the Hindu report said.

“The ED is making a mockery of the judicial process, resulting in complete travesty of justice. The extradition treaty prohibited the extradition of accused involved in the political offences and the government is now using the ED and all the investigating agencies for the political purpose. The supply of the charge sheet to the media houses is the best example of that,” it said.

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