AgustaWestland: Christian Michel moves CBI Court seeking bail

British Businessman and alleged middleman, Christian Michel has moved the CBI Court once again seeking bail in the AgustaWestland case.

. Special CBI Judge, Arvind Kumar today issued notice to the CBI and ED which are investigating the matter.

. In his applications filed through advocates Aljo K Joseph, Sriram Parakkat and Vishnu Shankar, Michel has submitted that he has undergone almost 600 hours of custodial interrogation by both the agencies and has spent 375 days in custody, including the 254 days spent in Indian Jail and the remaining in Dubai Jail.

. However, to date, no particular material has been produced before the court to substantiate the allegation levelled against Michel, it is claimed.

. Michel has further claimed that since he was sent to judicial custody in January, only one application was moved by the investigating agencies to interrogate him.

. It is also submitted that the CBI and ED have filed supplementary chargesheets in the case and the investigation has been going on for more than five years.

. Thus, arguing that the investigation against him was over and no useful purpose would be served by keeping him in further incarceration, Michel has sought bail under Section 437/439 of Code of Criminal Procedure, 1973.

. Christian Michel is accused of having entered into as many as 12 contracts with AgustaWestland to legitimize the illicit commission/kickbacks amounting to Euro 42.27 million received on the procurement of VVIP helicopters by the Government of India.

. After being extradited to India from Dubai, Michel was produced before the CBI Court on December 5 , and sent to CBI custody for five days. On subsequent hearings, the custody was extended for another five days , and then for four more days . On December 22, he was sent to seven days’ ED custody by the CBI Court.

. Christian Michel was sent to judicial custody on January 5.

. Earlier, the Court had dismissed Michel’s bail plea on two occasions, in February and December last year .

. The matter would be heard next on August 19.

AgustaWestland: Christian Michel moves CBI Court seeking bail

Aditi Singh

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