NEW DELHI: 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 scam, holding that he has already spent the ‘maximum period’ of incarceration prescribed for the offence.Allowing Michel’s plea seeking release in the case filed by ED, special CBI judge Sanjay Jindal said: “By virtue of second proviso to section 436A CrPC (maximum period for which an undertrial prisoner can be detained) with all necessary implication as per law, he be released from jail, if not required in any other case.”However, Michel will continue to remain in jail as he is also an accused in a corruption case filed by CBI.The court noted that Michel has been charged under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, which is punishable with imprisonment of up to seven years. It noted that he will complete seven years in custody on Dec 21. According to the second proviso, no person can be detained during investigation, inquiry or trial for more than the maximum period of imprisonment prescribed for the offence.”In view of the mandatory provisions of second proviso to section 436A CrPC, the said accused is entitled to be released accordingly and he cannot be detained in this case beyond Dec 21, 2025,” the court said.During the hearing, Michel submitted in writing that he would participate in the remaining trial, even if released. His counsel told the court that ED and CBI had been investigating the case for the last 12 years, while his client had remained in custody for nearly seven years. Despite being granted bail, the counsel argued, Michel had been unable to go home, calling the situation a “mockery of justice”.Earlier in the day, the court heard Michel’s plea seeking release in the CBI case and directed the agency to file its response. The matter has been listed for further hearing on Dec 22.Michel had approached the court seeking custodial release in both ED and CBI cases.Michel, alleged to be a middleman in the Agusta deal, was extradited from Dubai in Dec 2018, following which CBI arrested him and filed a chargesheet. The ED subsequently charged him in the money laundering probe.About the AuthorKoushiki SahaKoushiki Saha, a trainee journalist currently reporting for The Times of India, covers urban governance, infrastructure lapses, public grievances, and municipal policies with clarity and compassion. Still learning every day, she draws insights from fieldwork, lived experiences, and holding authorities accountable through persistent, people-focused reporting.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideosHindu Lynching Sparks Outrage: Shashi Tharoor Warns On Mob Rule, Priyanka Blasts Modi Govt SilenceEx-PM Imran Khan And Bushra Bibi Jailed For 17 Years In Toshakhana Gift Jewellery Case’There Is Only One Modi’: Jaishankar Says Leaders Define Nations, Not Ministers Or IndividualsMore Complicated Than Ever: Jaishankar Flags US, China, Russia, Europe As India Faces Harder ChoicesPM Modi Says BJP Correcting Congress Mistakes As Assam Gets New Airport And Northeast PushKabul Chooses India For Medicines As Afghan Minister Admits Pakistan Ties Have Deteriorated BadlySonia Gandhi Criticises PM Modi Over VB-G RAM G Bill And MGNREGA Rollback’Maha Jungle Raj in Bengal, Mamata Shielding Infiltrators’: PM Modi Blasts TMC in Virtual RallyPiyush Goyal Says Congress Policies Suppressed Enterprise And Capped India’s Growth For Decades’Global Order Has Changed Forever, No Single Nation Can Dominate All Issues’: Says EAM Jaishankar123PhotostoriesTea Time Snack: How to make zero-sugar Banana Chocolate Oatmeal CookiesBharti Singh turned emotional as her water bag broke before delivery; shared, “Mujhe Bahot Darr Lag Raha Hai”8 Foods that can help manage blood sugar levels in Diabetes10 best destinations near Delhi/NCR to plan your last-minute New Year getawayFrom Sunil Grover to Rupali Ganguly: This is what your favorite TV actors did before getting limelightBlurred vision or eye strain? These signs mean you need an eye check-up12 food combinations that can slow down parents’ agingWinter Snack: How to make Dhokla in a pressure cooker8 Stoic life lessons from “Meditations” by Marcus AureliusNot just cold or cough: Doctor shares common triggers that can cause a sore throat123Hot PicksTom BradyEpstein files releasedTim SaunderGold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays DecemberBank Holidays DecemberTop TrendingJosh Allen Luxury Car CollectionRandi MahomesAuston MatthewsWho is Nicole LundersJeremy Doku and Shireen Doku Net WorthMatthew StaffordWalker Buehlers WifeSibley ScolesAssam Rajdani Express TragedyUS Strikes
NEW DELHI: 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 scam, holding that he has already spent the ‘maximum period’ of incarceration prescribed for the offence.Allowing Michel’s plea seeking release in the case filed by ED, special CBI judge Sanjay Jindal said: “By virtue of second proviso to section 436A CrPC (maximum period for which an undertrial prisoner can be detained) with all necessary implication as per law, he be released from jail, if not required in any other case.”However, Michel will continue to remain in jail as he is also an accused in a corruption case filed by CBI.The court noted that Michel has been charged under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, which is punishable with imprisonment of up to seven years. It noted that he will complete seven years in custody on Dec 21. According to the second proviso, no person can be detained during investigation, inquiry or trial for more than the maximum period of imprisonment prescribed for the offence.“In view of the mandatory provisions of second proviso to section 436A CrPC, the said accused is entitled to be released accordingly and he cannot be detained in this case beyond Dec 21, 2025,” the court said.During the hearing, Michel submitted in writing that he would participate in the remaining trial, even if released. His counsel told the court that ED and CBI had been investigating the case for the last 12 years, while his client had remained in custody for nearly seven years. Despite being granted bail, the counsel argued, Michel had been unable to go home, calling the situation a “mockery of justice”.Earlier in the day, the court heard Michel’s plea seeking release in the CBI case and directed the agency to file its response. The matter has been listed for further hearing on Dec 22.Michel had approached the court seeking custodial release in both ED and CBI cases.Michel, alleged to be a middleman in the Agusta deal, was extradited from Dubai in Dec 2018, following which CBI arrested him and filed a chargesheet. The ED subsequently charged him in the money laundering probe.
