Alijo Joseph, Congress party leader, and the national in-charge of the legal department of Indian Youth Congress has been expelled from the Congress party after he represented fugitive criminal Christian Michel in court who has been arrested by the CBI for his alleged involvement in the AgustaWestland helicopter scam.
According to the reports, Supreme Court advocate Aljo K Joseph, who is the national in-charge of Youth Congress’ legal department had appeared on behalf of Christian Michel in a Delhi court. Aljo Joseph was an active member of Congress party as he is seen photographed with senior members of the party including Ahmed Patel. His decision to appear on behalf of accused fugitive and middleman Michel had raised suspicion about the involvement of senior leaders in the VVIP helicopter scam.
However, the Congress Party has soon realised its gaffe and has decided to throw him out of the party to avoid further embarrassment. “Aljo K Joseph has appeared in his personal capacity. He did not consult the Youth Congress before appearing in the case. IYC does not endorse such actions. IYC has removed Aljo Joseph from IYC’s Legal Department and expelled him from the party with immediate effect,” said a press release from the Indian Youth Congress.
Can’t make this stuff up. Congress ‘expels’ @AljokJoseph as party member & Youth Congress legal cell head after he decided to be Christian Michel’s lawyer ‘in professional capacity’. pic.twitter.com/1MKneYzLuf
— Shiv Aroor (@ShivAroor) December 5, 2018
Social media reacted to this decision of the Congress and said that this is just another eye-washing act by the Congress. They reacted by saying that this is another ploy to control the damage ahead of the elections and soon will be re-inducted into the party after the state elections.
This drama is just for two days..once voting in Rajasthan and Telangana over he will be taken back in the party with promotion #AugustaWestland
— निरज (@neerajk666) December 5, 2018
Now he will represent Michel and then later He will again join Congress.
— Harsh Thakur (@FcbHarsh) December 5, 2018
Some social media users believe that the Aljo Joseph’s defence for the fugitive and further sacking of him proves the involvement of their leadership in the scam.
Now sacking of Aljo K Joseph won’t correct the intention of #Congress . Their involvement into #AugustaWestland is now in public domain. https://t.co/koNyLmHZy6
— Satyendra Tripathi (@isatyendra) December 5, 2018
After getting exposed congress sacks Aljo K Joseph of Youth Congress who appeared for Christian Michel in Augusta Westland Case. Congress is in damage control mode. #WahhabiCongress https://t.co/FffYDK1GxR
— Mitesh Jain (@MK7786) December 5, 2018
The wanted fugitive and middleman in the Rs 3,600-crore AgustaWestland chopper deal, Christian Michel, was brought to India late on Tuesday night following his extradition by the UAE. The CBI has taken custody of the fugitive criminal after his extradition and has credited National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval for the success of the operation. He was sent to a five-custody of CBI by the court.
Christian Michel is accused of money laundering, bribery, and fraud in connection with the Rs 3,600-crore worth AgustaWestland scam. It is believed that not only did he pay kickbacks to politicians, officers and agents but also involved certain celebrity journalists to swing the deal.