New Delhi, May 7 (H.S.): The Delhi High Court has reserved its verdict on the demand of Christian Michel, accused in the Agusta Westland helicopter scam case, to modify his bail conditions. A bench headed by Justice Swarnakanta Sharma issued the order to reserve the decision.
During the hearing, Christian Michel appeared in court via video conferencing. The court asked Michel if he was requesting a modification to the bail conditions. Michel responded affirmatively. The court then inquired why he was seeking a change in the bail conditions, to which Michel stated that only ten weeks remain for the maximum sentence in this case.
Michel’s lawyer, Aljo Joseph, who represented him during the proceedings, said that it is impossible for Michel to find an Indian who can act as a guarantor. Michel has neither friends nor relatives in India. This is the reason he is requesting a change in the bail conditions. Joseph also mentioned that it is necessary to modify the condition regarding the surrender of the passport. Michel’s passport has expired, and it will take 8-10 weeks to renew it. Therefore, he cannot submit his passport at this moment. Although Michel has been granted bail, he is unable to be released from jail due to not fulfilling the bail conditions.
The lawyer appearing for the Enforcement Directorate (ED), Zoheb Hussain, opposed Michel’s petition, arguing that the bail conditions are appropriate. He stated that Michel is not asking for the conditions to be lifted but is instead seeking modifications. After that, the court reserved its decision.
On May 1, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) opposed the request to modify the bail conditions of Michel, stating that he is a foreigner and does not have roots in India. Therefore, if there is no local surety, it will be difficult to bring him to India. The ED argued against the alteration of bail conditions, saying that if no local guarantor can be found for Michel’s bail, he cannot be brought to India. The court had issued a notice to the ED while hearing Michel’s petition on March 25.
Michel has already been granted bail in both the CBI and ED cases related to the Augusta Westland helicopter scam. The Delhi High Court granted him bail in the money laundering case on March 4. In the case related to the CBI, the Supreme Court had granted him bail on February 18.
In fact, a case of a 3,600 crore rupee scam has been registered concerning the purchase of 12 helicopters from Augusta Westland. According to the CBI, Michel acquired some amount from this scam after 2010. The ED arrested Michel in January 2019 in connection with this 3,600 crore rupee scam. He was extradited from Dubai and brought to India on December 4, 2018.
Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
