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Dubai court allows extradition of Christian Michel, middleman in VVIP chopper scam

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Dubai court allows extradition of Christian Michel, middleman in VVIP chopper scam

Michel, along with former Air Chief Marshal SP Tyagi and others, is a key accused in the Rs 3700 AgustaWestland chopper scandal, he was arrested in UAE last year

In a major boost for the Narendra Modi government, a court in Dubai has given its nod for the extradition of Christian Michel, the British middleman in the AgustaWestland chopper scandal of 2007.

Though the Indian government is yet to receive any official communication from authorities concerned in the UAE government regarding the extradition, sources say that the investigative agencies in New Delhi have accessed a copy of the Dubai court’s order and are getting it translated from Arabic to English. The investigative agencies are expected to take up the matter with the authorities concerned in the Indian external affairs ministry as well as with the Prime Minister’s Office and press for urgent action.

Michel had been arrested in the UAE last year and was facing extradition proceedings in the country. He is wanted in India for allegedly organising bribes in exchange for a contract for VVIP helicopters. Former Air Chief Marshal SP Tyagi and several of his relatives are, alongwith Michel, named as the key accused in the high-profile defense sector scandal that had broken out during the UPA regime. Tyagi had recently been granted bail in the case by a Delhi court.

The AgustaWestland case involves a 2007 contract signed by the UPA government for the purchase of 12 luxury helicopters for use by top leaders, including the President, Prime Minister and former prime ministers of India. In 2014, the UPA government had scrapped the contract amid allegations that the supplier AgustaWestland, whose parent company Finmeccanica ran into allegations of bribe-giving in Italy, had paid kickbacks in India.

According to a report in The Hindu, the Dubai court found merit in the arguments made in favour of India’s request for Michel’s extradition, disallowing the defence’s contentions on various counts. The agencies are, however, yet to completely examine the court order.

Michel, a British national, is alleged to have received Euro 30 million (around Rs 225 crore) from AgustaWestland for his role as the middleman entrusted with ensuring that the VVIP chopper deal was executed without any hurdles. He is said to have influenced the decision to reduce the service ceiling of helicopters from 6,000 metres to 4,500 metres in 2005, which had made AgustaWestland eligible for the contract with the Indian government.

The Central Bureau of Investigation and the Enforcement Directorate had earlier filed charge sheets in the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper scam, naming Michel as one of the alleged middlemen through whom bribes were paid by AgustaWestland to bag the deal for supply of 12 helicopters to India. The ED charge sheet reportedly alleges that remittances made by Michel through his Dubai-based firm Global Services FZE to a media firm in Delhi, floated by him along with two Indians, were from the funds received from AgustaWestland.

It may be recalled that former Air Chief Tyagi was arrested in 2016 over allegations that he accepted bribes to tailor specifications at the instance of his cousins. He became the first ever military chief – former or current – to be arrested. The BJP has, however, maintained that the scam was executed at the highest levels of the UPA government, which had been battling a series of scams through its second term in office between 2009 and 2014, and that Tyagi was only being made a scapegoat to shield top Congress leaders.

Earlier in July this year, the Michel’s lawyer had said he was being pressured by Indian agencies to frame former Congress president Sonia Gandhi in the case in return for exoneration from criminal proceedings. The CBI had predictably refuted the allegation.

India News

Abhishek Banerjee says will not bow to BJP after nearly 11 hours of ED questioning

After spending nearly 11 hours before the Enforcement Directorate, TMC leader Abhishek Banerjee said he would not bow to the BJP and accused the ruling party of using investigative agencies for political purposes.

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Abhishek Banerjee

Trinamool Congress leader and Diamond Harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee on Tuesday said he would not bow to the BJP after spending nearly 11 hours being questioned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with an ongoing investigation.

Speaking after the questioning, Banerjee alleged that central agencies were being used to target opposition leaders and asserted that he would continue his political fight despite what he described as sustained pressure.

The TMC leader has repeatedly maintained that investigations involving him are politically motivated, a charge he has made on several previous occasions while appearing before central agencies.

His appearance before the ED comes amid a period of heightened political activity and multiple investigations involving leaders in West Bengal. Recent days have also seen Banerjee face summons and questioning in separate matters by state investigative agencies.

After leaving the ED office, Banerjee reiterated that he would not be intimidated and said he remained committed to his political responsibilities. He also accused the BJP of attempting to weaken opposition parties through investigative action, an allegation that the BJP has rejected in the past.

The Enforcement Directorate has not publicly commented on Banerjee’s remarks. The investigation related to the questioning remains ongoing.

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India News

DMK attacks Rahul Gandhi, accuses him of weakening opposition unity

DMK has intensified its criticism of Rahul Gandhi, alleging that the Congress leader’s actions have weakened opposition unity and strained relations within the INDIA bloc.

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Rahul-Gandhi

The war of words between the DMK and Congress has intensified, with the DMK launching a strong attack on Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi and accusing him of contributing to divisions within the opposition alliance. The criticism comes amid strained ties between the two parties following their political split in Tamil Nadu.

According to the DMK, Rahul Gandhi’s political approach has weakened unity among opposition parties. The party’s IT wing mocked the Congress leader on social media, while an editorial published in the DMK’s official mouthpiece Murasoli questioned his recent remarks on opposition solidarity.

DMK questions Rahul Gandhi’s remarks on opposition unity

In its editorial, Murasoli argued that Rahul Gandhi was speaking about opposition unity despite, according to the DMK, contributing to disagreements among alliance partners in several states. The publication cited criticism directed at Congress by various opposition parties and suggested that the party’s actions had often created tensions within the INDIA bloc.

The editorial also referred to past political disputes involving Congress and Left parties, particularly in Kerala, claiming such episodes had raised concerns among opposition allies about Congress’s approach toward its partners.

Tamil Nadu political fallout adds to tensions

The attack comes after a major political realignment in Tamil Nadu. Following the 2026 Assembly elections, Congress ended its alliance with the DMK and joined the government led by Vijay’s Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). The move left the DMK in the opposition and significantly altered the political equation between the two former allies.

The DMK has alleged that Congress benefited from the alliance during the election and later abandoned its partner. The party’s editorial questioned whether assurances from Congress leadership would be trusted by alliance partners after the developments in Tamil Nadu.

Congress rejects allegations

Congress has not issued a detailed official response to the editorial, but party sources have rejected the allegations. According to the party, its decisions in Tamil Nadu were made in line with the mandate delivered by voters and were not intended to undermine either the DMK or the broader opposition alliance.

The latest exchange highlights growing strains between two key opposition parties even as leaders continue to stress cooperation on national issues. Just days earlier, Rahul Gandhi had said that the DMK remained aligned with the opposition on defending the “idea of India” despite political differences.

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Entertainment

Kumkum Bhagya actor Sanchita Ugale dies by suicide near Mumbai at 22

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, died by suicide at her residence near Mumbai. Police have launched an investigation.

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Sanchita Ugale

Television actor Sanchita Ugale, known for her appearances in Kumkum Bhagya, Wagle Ki Duniya and Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi, died by suicide at her residence in Nalasopara East near Mumbai on June 14. She was 22.

According to police officials, the incident took place at her home in Achole village, Nalasopara East. Authorities said Ugale had locked herself inside her bedroom and was later found hanging from a ceiling fan. Family members and local residents rushed her to a hospital, where doctors declared her dead.

Police have registered an Accidental Death Report (ADR) and launched an investigation into the circumstances surrounding her death. Officials said inquiries are underway and the exact reason behind the incident has not yet been established.

Career across television, OTT and films

Ugale had built a growing presence in the entertainment industry through television, streaming projects and films. Apart from Kumkum Bhagya and Wagle Ki Duniya, she played a lead role in Dilwali Dulha Le Jayegi. She also appeared in OTT projects such as Crime Aaj Kal and Silence 2.

The actor was also associated with the film Chhaava, which contributed to her growing recognition among audiences.

Last social media post draws attention

Following news of her death, social media users shared and commented on Ugale’s final Instagram post, which had been uploaded hours before the incident. The post showed the actor in traditional attire lip-syncing to a classic Bollywood song. Fans expressed shock and grief after learning of her death.

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