The BJP might act like it has cornered the Congress in the AgustaWestland chopper deal case, but there are hurdles in the probe
CHRISTIAN MICHEL, an accused in the 3,600 crore AgustaWestland helicopter deal case, is cooling his heels in the high security jail number seven at the Tihar complex in Delhi. He reads books, wrapped in his blanket, and picks up the newspaper every day to see what the government, especially Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has been saying about him.
He gets 6,000 as monthly allowance, which he spends on chips, tea, coffee, and Indian breads and curries. His favourite is the chicken biryani he had from Chandni Chowk, which he was served while in the custody of the Enforcement Directorate. The Christmas cake the agency gave him, on December 25, was also a treat.
Since being extradited, Michel has spent four weeks in police custody, some of it in the comfortable CBI suite at the agency headquarters and some in the ED lock-up, where he was lodged with some criminals. He was then sent to judicial custody till February 27.
The CBI and the ED are probing the AgustaWestland deal, which was for 12 VVIP choppers. Michel is accused of arranging bribes for Indian politicians and bureaucrats, to swing the deal for the company.
“Investigating agencies are hunting for answers that the nation deserves to know,” Modi bellowed at a huge public rally in Solapur, Maharashtra, on January 9. “What is the connection between Michel mama (uncle) and the Congress? Was the UPA running its government or Michel mama’s darbar (court)?”
BJP president Amit Shah joined in, sending out scathing tweets about a “time tested and deep friendship” between the Gandhis (Sonia and Rahul) and Michel. He also said Michel was passing on details of his questioning on Sonia to his local lawyer.
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Denne historien er fra January 27, 2019-utgaven av THE WEEK.
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Themes Of Choice
As Savvy Investors Seek New Avenues, Thematic Mutual Funds Are Gaining Popularity
A golden girl
One of India's most formidable beauties passed away earlier this month. The odd thing is she would absolutely hate this obituary; she hated being written about and avoided publicity for all of her nine decades. Indira Aswani was 93 when she died. But anyone who encountered her, even briefly, was in such awe of her grace and poise, and one could not but remember her forever.
The interest in wine is growing delightfully in India
The renowned British wine writer and television presenter Jancis Robinson, 74, recently came to Delhi and Mumbai to reacquaint herself with India's wine industry. This was the Robinson's fourth visit to India; the last one was seven years ago. On this trip, Robinson and her husband, restaurateur Nicholas Lander, were hosted by the Taj Hotels and Sonal Holland, India's only Master of Wine.
United in the states
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COVER DRIVE
Usage-driven motor insurance policies offer several benefits
GDP as the only measure of progress is illogical
Dasho Karma Ura, one of the world's leading happiness experts, has guided Bhutan's unique gross national happiness (GNH) project. He uses empirical data to show that money cannot buy happiness in all circumstances, rather it is family and health that have the strongest positive effect on happiness. Excerpts from an interview:
India is not a controlling big brother
Prime Minister Tshering Tobgay considers India a benevolent elder sibling as the \"big brotherly attitude\" is happily missing from bilateral ties. He thinks the relationship shared by the two countries has become a model of friendship not just for the region, but for the entire world. \"India's attitude is definitely not of a big brother who is controlling and does not allow the little brother to blossom and grow,\" says Tobgay in an exclusive interview with THE WEEK.
Comrade with no foes
Lal Salaam, Comrade Yechury-you were quite a guy!
Pinning down saffron
In her first political bout, Vinesh Phogat rides on the anti-BJP sentiment across Haryana
MAKE IN MANIPUR
Home-made rockets and weapons from across the border are escalating the conflict
