Today, On 25th February, The Enforcement Directorate (ED) opposed the bail plea of Christian Michel in the Delhi High Court, arguing that he posed a flight risk. However, Michel’s lawyer, Advocate Aljo Joseph, countered this claim, stating that his passport had already expired. The case revolves around concerns of potential escape and legal restrictions on his movement.
New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) opposed the bail plea filed by British national Christian Michel before the Delhi High Court. Michel is accused in the money laundering case linked to the AgustaWestland chopper scam.
ED Special Counsel Zoheb Hossain told Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma that Michel poses a flight risk and could escape the country if granted bail.
Hossain stated,
“He is a British citizen, so he could run away. He is a flight risk,”
In response, Advocate Aljo Joseph, representing Michel, countered this argument by noting that Michel’s passport has expired.
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He said,
“My passport has already expired. I don’t have a passport,”
Joseph further argued that once Michel completes the maximum sentence as an undertrial, it would be irrelevant whether he remains in India or leaves.
He asserted,
“After completing the maximum sentence, if I run away or stay, how does it matter? I have undergone 6 years and 2 months, with 4 months in Dubai. I am entitled to remission. The ED’s argument does not hold any water,”
He also highlighted that the trial court has yet to impose any conditions for granting bail in the CBI case.
He explained,
“I have to take permission. If the trial court imposes conditions on me, it would take time for me to come out. If bail is granted, I can seek the trial court’s permission to apply for my passport and visa,”
Michel granted bail by the Supreme Court on February 18 in the CBI case related to the scam, but he remains in custody as he has not yet secured bail in the ED case. This bail petition is currently under consideration by Justice Sharma.
Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma noted that the trial court in the predicate offense (CBI case) has yet to set conditions for Michel’s release.
Justice Sharma remarked,
“I just want to see what conditions they (trial court) would be imposing. Today Mr. Hossain is saying he will run away from the country. Let me see what they do. Let them write the conditions. Let me see what conditions are being imposed,”
The case has been scheduled for further hearing on February 28, with the ED counsel instructed to appear in person to argue the matter on that date. Alongside Joseph, advocates Sriram Parakkat and MS Vishnu Shankar also represented Michel.
Michel was extradited to India in December 2018 and has been in jail since then. He is accused of entering into twelve contracts with AgustaWestland to legitimize illicit commissions and Illegal payments totalling 42.27 million euros related to the procurement of VVIP helicopters by the Government of India.
The CBI alleges that bribes estimated at 33 million dollars were transferred through bank accounts in the UK and UAE.
The AgustaWestland VVIP chopper deal happened during the Congress-led UPA government and became a major corruption case. It is alleged that money was given to middlemen and Indian officials in 2006-07 to secure a deal for helicopters for top politicians.
After these corruption claims, the Indian government ordered a CBI probe on February 12, 2013. Later, in 2014, the ED also filed a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
Case Title: Christian James Michel vs Central Bureau of Investigation