A Delhi court has reserved its order on Christian Michel’s plea seeking release in the CBI case linked to the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper scam. Michel argues he has already completed the maximum seven-year custody period for the alleged offences.
A Delhi court on Monday reserved its order on a plea filed by Christian James Michel, an accused in the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper case, who has sought release from judicial custody in a case registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
The matter was heard by Special CBI Judge Sanjay Jindal, who reserved the order for December 23 after listening to arguments from both sides. Michel has argued before the court that he has already spent the maximum possible period in custody for the offences alleged against him in the case.
ALSO READ: AgustaWestland Scam: Court Orders Release Of Christian Michel From Custody In ED Case
According to Michel, the maximum punishment prescribed for the charges framed against him is seven years, and he has already completed that period while remaining in custody since his extradition to India. On this basis, he has requested the court to grant him release from jail in the CBI case.
Earlier, on December 20, the same court had ordered Michel’s release in a separate money laundering case registered by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with the same alleged defence scam. However, Michel continues to remain in custody due to the pending CBI case.
Michel is accused of acting as a “middleman” in the controversial defence deal for the purchase of VVIP helicopters.
He was extradited from Dubai in December 2018 after prolonged legal proceedings, following which he was arrested by the CBI. The agency later filed a chargesheet against him detailing the alleged irregularities in the deal.
As per the CBI’s chargesheet, the alleged scam caused an estimated loss of 398.21 million euros, which is approximately Rs 2,666 crore, to the Indian exchequer.
The deal in question was signed on February 8, 2010, for the supply of 12 VVIP helicopters by the British-Italian company AgustaWestland. The total value of the contract was stated to be 556.262 million euros.
Michel is facing prosecution in two separate cases linked to the alleged scam — one filed by the CBI and another by the ED.
He had filed separate applications in both matters seeking release from custody, citing prolonged incarceration and completion of the maximum sentence period.
The AgustaWestland VVIP chopper case revolves around allegations of serious irregularities and payment of kickbacks to certain former defence ministry officials in order to secure the helicopter contract.
The case has remained one of the most high-profile defence corruption matters in the country.
The Delhi court is now expected to pronounce its order on Michel’s plea for release in the CBI case on December 23.
Click Here to Read More Reports On James Michel
