A Delhi court on Saturday ordered the release of Christian James Michel from custody in a money laundering case linked to the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper deal, ruling that his continued detention by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had exceeded the maximum sentence prescribed under law.
Special CBI judge Sanjay Jindal held that Michel, accused under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), had already spent seven years in custody, the maximum punishment stipulated for the offence. Invoking the second proviso to Section 436A of the Code of Criminal Procedure, the court said he could not be detained beyond December 21, 2025, in the ED case.
“In view of the mandatory provisions of the second proviso to Section 436A CrPC, the accused is entitled to be released accordingly,” the court observed, adding that Michel would be freed if not required in any other case.
However, the ruling does not result in his immediate release, as Michel remains an accused in a separate corruption case being probed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with the same helicopter deal.
Also read: SC grants bail to Christian Michel in AgustaWestland chopper scam
Michel, alleged to be a middleman in the ₹3,600-crore defence procurement contract, was extradited from Dubai in December 2018. Following his extradition, both the CBI and the ED arrested him and filed chargesheets in their respective cases.
During the hearing, Michel submitted in writing that he would cooperate with the trial proceedings even if released. His counsel argued that the investigation into the case had stretched over 12 years and that his prolonged incarceration amounted to a “mockery of justice”, noting that bail had been granted but effective freedom remained elusive.
Earlier in the day, the court heard Michel’s plea in the CBI case and directed the agency to file its response. The matter has been listed for further hearing on December 22.
The AgustaWestland case pertains to alleged kickbacks and procedural violations in the purchase of 12 VVIP helicopters from the British-Italian firm, a deal that has remained under judicial and political scrutiny for over a decade.
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