AgustaWestland Case: Court turns down Michel’s bail pleas

New Delhi: A Delhi court on Saturday dismissed the bail pleas filed by AgustaWestland deal alleged middleman Christian Michel James in both the CBI and ED cases against him pertaining to the deal.

Special CBI Judge Arvind Kumar turning down the pleas, said, “Considering the overall facts and circumstances, serious nature of accusations, gravity of offence, crucial stage of investigation and aforesaid conduct of the accused, I do not consider it to be a fit case for grant of bail.” “The accused is a British national, having no roots in India. It is noted that NBWs were issued against him...it is not that the accused had himself joined investigation in India or appeared before this court of his own,” the court observed. The court further held that Michel “cannot claim parity with other accused persons in view of his aforesaid conduct”. Judge Kumar reserved his order for September 7 after the conclusion of arguments from both sides.

During the course of hearing, Michel’s counsel Aljo K. Joseph argued that the role of his client, which has been narrated in the prosecution complaint, is that Michel got kickbacks and gave it to the Tyagi brothers. “The prosecution said that I have taken money through hawala channels although there is no details of this claim in the prosecution complaint,” Joseph said. Michel through his counsel further told the court that both the agencies have already interrogated him for more than 600 hours. Opposing the claims of the defence, Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) D.P. Singh informed the court: “I couldn’t reach the figure of 600 hours even after including the time he took for sleeping, going to the doctor and other things.” He said Michel was brought to India after due extradition proceedings and has been in custody thereafter. (IANS)

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