The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday opposed the bail plea filed before the Delhi High Court by British national Christian Michel, accused in the money laundering case connected to the AgustaWestland chopper scam.ED Special Counsel Zoheb Hossain told Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma that Michel is a flight risk and could flee the country if granted bail."He is a British citizen so he could run away. He is a flight risk," Hossain said.Advocate Aljo Joseph, appearing for Michel, rebutted this argument, citing the expiry of Michel's passport."My passport has already expired. I don’t have a passport," he said.Interestingly, Joseph also said that, once Michel completes the maximum sentence in the offences as an undertrial, he should be released and it then it becomes immaterial whether he remains in India or leaves. "After completing the maximum sentence, if I run away or stay how does it matter. 6 years 2 months undergone, 4 months in Dubai. I am entitled to a remission. ED’s argument does not hold any water," Joseph said.Pertinently, Joseph also pointed out that the trial court is yet to impose conditions for grant of bail in the CBI case. "I have to take permission. If trial court imposes conditions on me, it would take time for me to come out. If bail is granted, then I can take trial court’s permission come out and apply for the passport. Then I have to apply for visa," he said..Michel was granted bail by the Supreme Court on February 18 in the CBI case connected to the scam.However, he continues to remain in jail since he is yet to get bail in the ED case.This bail petition is currently being heard by Sharma. .Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma today observed that the trial court in predicate offence (CBI case) is yet to impose conditions for release of Michel."I just want to see what conditions they (trial court) would be imposing. Today Mr Hossain is saying he will run away from the country. Let me see what they do. Let them (trial court) write the conditions. Let me see what conditions are being imposed," Justice Sharma said.She eventually posted the case for further hearing on February 28. The ED counsel was asked to appear physically and argue the matter on that date.Besides Joseph, advocates Sriram Parakkat and MS Vishnu Shankar also appeared for Michel..Michel was extradited to India in December 2018 and has been in jail since then.Michel is accused of having entered into as many as twelve contracts with AgustaWestland to legitimize the illicit commission/kickbacks amounting to 42.27 million Euro received on the procurement of VVIP helicopters by the Government of India.According to CBI bribes estimated at US$33 million were transferred through bank accounts in the UK and UAE..[Read Live Coverage]
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday opposed the bail plea filed before the Delhi High Court by British national Christian Michel, accused in the money laundering case connected to the AgustaWestland chopper scam.ED Special Counsel Zoheb Hossain told Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma that Michel is a flight risk and could flee the country if granted bail."He is a British citizen so he could run away. He is a flight risk," Hossain said.Advocate Aljo Joseph, appearing for Michel, rebutted this argument, citing the expiry of Michel's passport."My passport has already expired. I don’t have a passport," he said.Interestingly, Joseph also said that, once Michel completes the maximum sentence in the offences as an undertrial, he should be released and it then it becomes immaterial whether he remains in India or leaves. "After completing the maximum sentence, if I run away or stay how does it matter. 6 years 2 months undergone, 4 months in Dubai. I am entitled to a remission. ED’s argument does not hold any water," Joseph said.Pertinently, Joseph also pointed out that the trial court is yet to impose conditions for grant of bail in the CBI case. "I have to take permission. If trial court imposes conditions on me, it would take time for me to come out. If bail is granted, then I can take trial court’s permission come out and apply for the passport. Then I have to apply for visa," he said..Michel was granted bail by the Supreme Court on February 18 in the CBI case connected to the scam.However, he continues to remain in jail since he is yet to get bail in the ED case.This bail petition is currently being heard by Sharma. .Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma today observed that the trial court in predicate offence (CBI case) is yet to impose conditions for release of Michel."I just want to see what conditions they (trial court) would be imposing. Today Mr Hossain is saying he will run away from the country. Let me see what they do. Let them (trial court) write the conditions. Let me see what conditions are being imposed," Justice Sharma said.She eventually posted the case for further hearing on February 28. The ED counsel was asked to appear physically and argue the matter on that date.Besides Joseph, advocates Sriram Parakkat and MS Vishnu Shankar also appeared for Michel..Michel was extradited to India in December 2018 and has been in jail since then.Michel is accused of having entered into as many as twelve contracts with AgustaWestland to legitimize the illicit commission/kickbacks amounting to 42.27 million Euro received on the procurement of VVIP helicopters by the Government of India.According to CBI bribes estimated at US$33 million were transferred through bank accounts in the UK and UAE..[Read Live Coverage]
