Today, On 20th December, The Delhi Court ordered the release of Christian Michel from custody in the Enforcement Directorate case after he completed the maximum seven-year sentence under the PMLA. However, he will continue to remain in jail due to the pending CBI corruption case.
NEW DELHI: A court in Delhi has ordered the release of Christian James Michel from custody in a money laundering case linked to the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper scam, as filed by the Enforcement Directorate.
However, he will continue to remain incarcerated due to allegations in a separate corruption case brought by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Special CBI judge Sanjay Jindal, while reviewing the plea for Michel’s release, highlighted that he faces charges under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, which carries a maximum penalty of seven years.
Michel has already completed seven years in custody.
The court stated,
“In view of the mandatory provisions of the second proviso to Section 436A CrPC, the said accused is entitled to be released accordingly and he cannot be detained in this case beyond December 21, 2025,”
The second proviso specifies that no individual should be held during the investigation, inquiry, or trial for longer than the maximum imprisonment period for the respective offense.
Michel, identified as a ‘middleman’ in the defense contract, was extradited from Dubai in December 2018, following which he was arrested by the CBI and charged. The Enforcement Directorate subsequently arrested him in connection with its own money laundering investigation.
The court’s ruling on Saturday noted that Michel could be released if he is not required in other cases.
The court indicated,
“By virtue of second proviso to Section 436A of the Code of Criminal Procedure with all necessary implication as per law. He will be released from jail if not required in any other case,”
Michel has been implicated in both cases from the ED and the CBI concerning the alleged scam, and he has sought release in both instances.
Earlier in the day, the court requested the CBI to respond to his plea regarding the corruption case.
During the proceedings, Michel submitted that he would continue to engage in the ongoing trial even if released. His counsel argued that both investigative authorities have been examining the case for a dozen years and that his client has already served seven years in detention.
They labeled the situation as a “mockery of justice.”
After the hearing, Michel expressed to the media that he was enjoying the proceedings.
The court has scheduled the next hearing for December 22.
This case revolves around alleged misconduct and kickbacks paid to former defense ministry officials to procure a contract for 12 VVIP helicopters from the British-Italian company.
Michel, a British national, was extradited from Dubai on December 4, 2018, and has been in custody since. He is accused of acting as an intermediary for helicopter manufacturer AgustaWestland, facilitating the company’s contract with the then-Congress-led Indian government for VVIP transport helicopters.
Allegedly, Michel engaged in twelve contracts with AgustaWestland to justify illicit commissions or kickbacks totaling €42.27 million associated with the purchase of VVIP helicopters for the Government of India.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) asserts that bribes amounting to approximately US$33 million were funneled through bank accounts in the UK and UAE.
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