Court directs to shift Michel from high-security ward to normal cell

A Delhi Court on Tuesday directed Tihar Jail authorities to shift British national Christian Michel, the middleman accused in the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper case, from high-security ward to the normal cell meant for undertrials and provide him basic facilities as per prison rules.

Additional Sessions Judge Arvind Kumar directed Tihar Jail officials to shift Michel to Jail No. 1, 3 or 4 which are meant for keeping undertrials.

The court was hearing Michel's application seeking shifting from high-security prison to a normal cell.

Michel's advocates Aljo K. Joseph and Vishnu Sankar told the court that Michel was shifted to the high-security cell "at the behest of external pressure".

The court observed that Michel cannot be kept in Jail No. 2 which is meant to keep convicts and said that unconvicted criminal prisoner needs to be kept separate from those who have been convicted.

The court also asked jail authorities to make necessary assessment regarding any threat to the accused.

However, Special Public Prosecutor D.P. Singh and Public Prosecutor N.K. Matta opposed the plea and said that the allegations were "mischievous and looked down upon Indian jails".

The prosecutors also told the court that Michel has filed the application in an attempt to keep the instant case in news and to gain publicity.

Michel was extradited to India on December 4, 2018 from the United Arab Emirates.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had filed charge sheets in the Rs 3,600-crore AgustaWestland VVIP chopper deal case naming Michel and others as accused.

--IANS

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