Noting Michel has served close to maximum sentence period of seven year, court said, ‘further incarceration would render the entire purpose of a trial meaningless’
Christian Michel, a British national accused of money laundering in the AgustaWestland helicopter deal case, was granted bail by the Delhi High Court after six years in Indian custody. The court cited prolonged detention without trial, close to the maximum seven-year sentence under the PMLA, as a violation of his right to a speedy trial. He must meet bail conditions, including a bond and passport surrender. He also has bail in a similar CBI investigation. The ED opposed bail, citing flight risk and stringent anti-money laundering laws, but his lawyers argued his detention was "pre-trial punishment".
