Delhi Court Grants Release to Michel in ED Case; CBI Custody Remains
Delhi Court Grants Release to Michel in ED Case; CBI Custody Remains
Delhi court frees Augusta Westland middleman Christian Michel James from the ED money laundering case after seven years in custody, but he remains in CBI custody for the related matter.
NEW DELHI: A Delhi court has ordered the release of Christian Michel James, the alleged Augusta Westland middleman, from jail in the money laundering case filed by the Enforcement Directorate. The Special Judge of the Rouse Avenue court noted that the offence under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) carries a maximum punishment of seven years, and Michel James had already spent seven years in judicial custody. He was told he could not be detained in the PMLA case beyond December 21.
During the proceedings, the ED’s special public prosecutor urged that Michel must continue to attend hearings even after release to bring the proceedings in the case to a logical end. Michel’s counsel responded that his client is willing to cooperate with the trial and attend hearings after being released.
However, Michel will continue to stay in judicial custody in the related CBI case lodged in the Augusta Westland matter. The court will decide on an application moved by his counsel for release in the CBI case on Monday. The matter forms part of the broader Augusta Westland VVIP chopper deal investigations. Michel’s extradition from the UAE and the legal arguments around the maximum sentence have driven the sequence of events in this high-profile case.
