Remedy Michel's solitary confinement: Court to Tihar

A court here on Tuesday directed Tihar Jail's Director General to immediately take remedial measures regarding the solitary confinement of AgustaWestland VVIP chopper deal's alleged middleman Christian Michel.

Special Judge Arvind Kumar's order came after observing that Michel is kept in isolation and there is no sports facility in the barracks where he is kept.

The court directed Tihar Jail officials to provide him library, canteen and sports facilities as per the jail manual.

The court also directed jail officials to ensure Michel's security and safety and asked them to file a compliance report within three months.

Tihar Jail officials last week told the court that Michel is allowed to walk inside the prison and meet inmates and he has been kept in a separate cell due to security reasons.

Michel's advocates Aljo K. Joseph and Vishnu Sankar had requested the court to shift the British national from an isolation cell to a normal cell.

The court had on March 5, directed Tihar Jail authorities to shift Michel to jail number 1, 3 or 4, which are meant for keeping undertrials.

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

The Central Bureau of Investigation and the Enforcement Directorate 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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