ED raids premises of Michel’s associate

NEW DELHI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has conducted searches at the south Delhi premises of an Indian-origin business associate of British national Christian

NEW DELHI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has conducted searches at the south Delhi premises of an Indian-origin business associate of British national Christian Michel, an absconding accused in the Rs 3,727 crore AgustaWestland (AW) VVIP choppers deal case that the agency is probing.

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The businessman, who could not be contacted despite attempts, allegedly had financial transactions with Michel and they jointly set up a United Kingdom (UK)-based firm specializing in the sale of ‘luxury goods and jewelry’, according to an agency source. The agency had asked the businessman to join the probe by present himself for questioning before it last week had not complied.

“ED wants to understand the nature of the financial ties the businessman had with Michel since they did set up an offshore firm around the time India’s deal with the AgustaWestland for the supply of VVIP choppers was getting finalized,” said the source.