Rouse Avenue Court Issues Notice To ED In AgustaWestland Case

Rouse Avenue Court has issued a notice to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and sought its response to an application filed by Christian Michel, a middleman in the AgustaWestland helicopter deal case.

Michel has requested authorities to provide enhanced security arrangements during his incarceration, claiming that they have not allowed him to wear shoes recently.

In response to the court’s directive, Michel filed an application demanding adequate security in jail.

The court has noted his concerns and directed authorities to take Michel to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) on April 7 for a follow-up regarding his previous surgery.

Michel Requests Change In Bail Conditions

In addition to his security concerns, Michel has approached the Delhi High Court with a petition seeking a change in the conditions of his bail.

He has requested the removal of two key bail conditions that he claims are burdensome.

Michel has requested the court to remove the condition of depositing a bail amount of Rs 5 lakh and submitting his passport.

He argued that as a foreign national with no relatives in India, the Rs 5 lakh bail condition should not apply to him.

Michel also stated that his passport had expired, and obtaining a new one could take four to eight weeks. Therefore, he requested that the requirement to submit his passport be waived.

Court’s Response To Michel’s Petition In AgustaWestland Case

The Delhi High Court has issued a notice to the ED and sought its response to Michel’s petition.

On March 4, the High Court granted Michel bail in the money laundering case, imposing a personal bond of Rs 5 lakh and requiring the same amount as bail along with the submission of his passport.

In a separate ruling, the Supreme Court granted Michel bail on February 18 in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) case, stating that the trial could not conclude within 25 years.

Authorities arrested Michel on December 4, 2018, after extraditing him from Dubai, even though the FIR in the case was registered in 2013.

AgustaWestland Case Background

The AgustaWestland case accuses Michel, along with 59 others, of receiving alleged kickbacks related to the purchase of helicopters.

The prosecution filed its first complaint in the case on November 24, 2014, and it filed the 12th supplementary charge sheet on November 21, 2024.

The ED has yet to summon or receive the participation of 21 of the 60 accused in the investigation.

Michel’s legal battle continues as he seeks relief from the stringent bail conditions and demands improvements to his security and medical treatment while in custody.

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