New Delhi, April 8: The Delhi High Court has denied the release petition of alleged middleman Christian Michel James in the Augusta Westland VVIP chopper scam case.
Michel had argued that he had already served the maximum sentence for the charges that led to his extradition to India. However, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Enforcement Directorate (ED), and the central government opposed this claim vigorously.
In his petition, Michel also challenged Article 17 of the India-UAE extradition treaty. He was brought to India from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in December 2018, facing allegations of fraud, criminal conspiracy, and bribery under the Prevention of Corruption Act as outlined in a 2017 charge sheet.
Subsequently, a supplementary charge sheet filed in September 2020 included charges of forgery, which could lead to life imprisonment. The central government argued that Article 17 of the extradition treaty allows India to prosecute Michel for these crimes and any related offenses, justifying the additional charges of forgery.
Previously, on March 17, the Delhi High Court had reserved its decision on Michel’s release petition. The supplementary charge sheet filed in September 2020 included forgery charges, which could result in life imprisonment, making it inaccurate to claim that Michel has served his maximum sentence.
Michel’s lawyer, Aljo K. Joseph, stated that his client has spent over five years in jail for the charges related to the Prevention of Corruption Act, warranting his release. Although he has received bail from both the Supreme Court and the Delhi High Court in separate cases, he remains incarcerated. The trial court denied his release request in August 2025, citing serious allegations against him, which could lead to life imprisonment.
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My name is Narendra Jijhontiya. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including TECHNOLOGY, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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