'Christian Michel non-cooperative, says he can't read or write because of dyslexia': CBI sources ahead of seeking extended custody of Agusta middleman

Update at 3:54 PM: Patiala House Court grants 5 days further custody of Christian Michel to CBI. During the hearing, the CBI had alleged that Michel’s lawyers are “tutoring” him every morning and evening.

CBI has retrieved two letters written by Michel. They’re in his handwriting. 

In one of them, Michel talks of one specific event: He was not with the Tyagi brothers. Tyagi brothers were handled by Haschke. Michel was getting money from Agusta Westland, UK through UAE

Aljo Joseph says CBI officials have not even spoken loudly to Michel. They are only doing their jobs.

*CBI objects to the use of the word torture.*

Aljo Joseph says: No incriminating material has been shown against him. This is just a way to torture him.*

Update at 3:47 PM: Michel produced in Patiala House court - 

CBI to judge:

'We have confronted him with some documents.'

'We want further custody of 9 days.'

'We didn’t get enough time to interrogate him.'

*Counsel for Michel decides not to push for the bail application.*

'Interrogation is underway. We’d like more time to interrogate him.'

'Michel being confronted with evidence from 5 different countries'

'He’s not cooperative. He’s evasive.'

'Certain things have been admitted by him.'

'We have confronted him with some documents' 

Aljo K Joseph, Christian Michel's lawyer, says CBI saying we are not cooperating with the investigation is completely false

---

With AgustaWestland middleman Christian Michel's five-day CBI custody to end on Monday, Republic TV has accessed exclusive and stunning details of the questioning so far, even as the probe agency prepares to seek the extended custody of the British businessman. 

As per sources, Christian Michel has been non-cooperative in the investigation thus far, putting forth that he can't read and write as he is a patient of dyslexia. Interestingly, another middleman in the case, Guido Hashke also made the same 'can't read-write' excuse to Italian authorities about Michel.

The information comes on a day that the CBI is poised to seek an extension of Christian Michel's custody in order to confront him with the family of former Air Chief Marshal SP Tyagi, members of which have earlier been arrested in connection with the case.

As per sources, Michel was also to be confronted with documentary evidence in relation to the decade-long deal and alleged scam involved in the procurement of VVIP choppers by the Indian Air Force. These documents were said to include (but weren't limited to) a notebook recovered by Italian and Swiss investigators that carried notings of what appear to be initials next to sums of money, as also the statement of Michel's driver from his previous trips to New Delhi, both of which have been accessed by Republic TV. 

READ | D-Day Arrives For Vijay Mallya: LIVE UPDATES As Westminster Court Pronounces Its Extradition Verdict

Michel had been brought to India following his extradition from Dubai on Tuesday, and kept at the CBI headquarters in New Delhi under heavy security overnight. The subsequent day he was produced in Delhi's Patiala House Court where Aljo K Joseph who is representing him moved a bail plea. However, the court remanded him to CBI custody for five days. Further controversy was added to the mix when the BJP's allegation that Joseph was an affiliate of the Congress proved to be true. Joseph, who rushed to the AICC HQ immediately after the events in court, then offered that he was only representing Michel in his professional capacity and that it had nothing to do with his being the legal cell in-charge of the Youth Congress. However, he was soon expelled from the party.

READ | Here's Why Dr Subramanian Swamy Says Christian Michel's Lawyer Being A Youth Congress Leader Is "Sinister"

Michel is believed to know details of the money trail related to the AgustaWestland deal, which, over the period of a decade, saw specification requirements for the choppers changing, allegedly in order to favour a particular company and on account of kickbacks allegedly paid to Indian bureaucrats and possibly politicians.