Indian officials in Dubai are trying to extradite one of the key middlemen in the AgustaWestland deal Christian Michel, says a report in the Economic Times.

Reports have emerged that Indian officials have met Michel who is in detention and have approached the authorities in Dubai for his extradition to India.

Michel has emerged as the key operative in the Rs 3,600 crore worth AgustaWestland VVIP chopper deal case. Reports also state that his lawyers have objected to the extradition, as he is a citizen of United Kingdom and Switzerland on grounds that he is not facing any charges in either countries.

Interpol, on India’s request, had issued a ‘red corner notice’ against him over his alleged role in the AgustaWestland chopper deal scam. He was detained by the Dubai Police based on the notice. Submissions before an Italian court had mentioned his role in the scandal. It had also mentioned his deep political connections leading to several political commentators in Delhi pointing to a long standing family relationship between Michel and first family of Congress.

Congress chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala has accused the Central government of exerting political pressure on the investigative agencies to frame the erstwhile Congress chief Sonia Gandhi. Congress has alleged that Indian agencies are forcing Michel to make false confessions. He said the government is creating a ‘web of lies’ and launching a ‘concerted conspiracy’ against the party’s top leaders.

"This is a concreted conspiracy. Never before in the history of India has a Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) been found complicit in gaining false evidence against opposition leaders to seek revenge,” Surjewala said in a press conference.