The Congress on Thursday accused the Modi government of creating a “web of lies” and launching a “concerted conspiracy” against its leadership in the AgustaWestland case by using its investigative agencies.
Congress’ chief spokesperson Randeep Surjewala alleged that the statement by the lawyer of suspected middleman Christian Michel, who was detained in Dubai two days ago, shows that the Centre and its agencies are forcing him to make a false confessional statement against the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Chairperson Sonia Gandhi.
‘False confession’
Mr. Surjewala’s statement comes after some media reports claimed that investigators questioning the suspected middleman in the ‘chopper kickbacks’ case were trying to extract a false confession from him that he personally knew Ms. Gandhi at the time the AgustaWestland chopper deal was finalised.
Mr. Michel, now in detention, is accused of handling and routing over 60 million euros as kickbacks for the AgustaWestland deal.
Mr. Surjewala said the Congress would raise the issue in Parliament on Friday.
“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,” he said.
Mr. Surjewala alleged that the statements by Mr. Michel’s lawyer Rosemary Patrizi Dos Anjos and his sister Sasha Ozemen showed the Ms. Gandhi had been named in return for exoneration from any charge in the case.