Michel first day: Anxiety attack, intense grilling

Anxiety attack upon arrival at the CBI and intense questioning throughout night— this was how suspected middleman in AgustaWestland, Christian Michel, spent his first 24 hours in CBI's custody since his extradition from Dubai.

He barely slept for two hours on early Wednesday morning since his landing at 10:35 pm on Tuesday night as the CBI sleuths kept on questioning him before producing him at a special CBI court.

Sources said that Michel had an anxiety attack soon after he was brought to the CBI headquarters in New Delhi and doctors were called in.

After treatment, sources said, he was questioned during the night. He was allowed to sleep for two hours between 4 am and 6 am on Wednesday.

The CBI investigators continued their questioning during the day to ascertain the money trail and identification of documents in the multi-crore-rupee deal.

Sources said after landing in the airport, he was taken to CBI headquarters around 1:20 am on Wednesday after completing the procedures.

He was flown to India along with a CBI team led by Joint Director Sai Manohar.

"An open non-bailable arrest warrant dated September 24, 2015, was issued by the special judge, CBI cases, Patiala House Courts, New Delhi. On the basis of this warrant, a Red Corner Notice was issued by the Interpol which led to his arrest in Dubai in February 2017," a CBI spokesperson said.

Sources said that Michel could provide them with vital clues on the missing link in the money trail.

In the court too where it sought his custody, the CBI had said his interrogation was needed to understand how the money he received was used to bribe officials and politicians to swing the deal in AgustaWestland's favour.