New Delhi, December 10: Extradited for his role in the alleged Rs 3,600-crore AgustaWestland chopper scam, middleman Christian Michel is accused by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) of not cooperating in the probe. "He is evasive in giving answers during the interrogation," the CBI counsel said.

Special Public Prosecutor Advocate DP Singh, who appeared before the Special CBI Court in the national capital, asked the bench to extend his remand by 14 days. The court, however, decided to extend his custody by 5 days. AgustaWestland Chopper Scam: Sonia Gandhi's Name in Diary, Christian Michel Will Reveal Secrets, Says PM Modi.

The extension of his police remand comes a couple of days after the British High Commission demanded consular access for Michel. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) has, however, decided to approve the consular access plea only after the CBI concludes its preliminary process.

The Rs 3,600 crore AgustaWestland VIP helicopter deal, finalised during the previous government of Manmohan Singh, had got mired in allegations of kickbacks. The 54-year-old Michel is an accused in the case along with some others including former Air Chief SP Tyagi.

According to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) charge sheet filed in a court here two years back, Michel had received kickbacks to the tune of 30 million Euros from AgustaWestland for the deal involving a purchase of 12 VIP helicopters. The deal, signed in 2007, was scrapped in 2013 following the bribery allegations.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 10, 2018 04:37 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).