VVIP chopper case: ED arrests Michel, gets seven day custody; court denies him bail in CBI case

Christian Michel, an alleged middleman extradited from Dubai recently, was arrested by the Enforcement Directorate and sent to seven days custody of the agency over money laundering charges in the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper scam after he was produced in a court here which denied bail in the related CBI case.

Michel, lodged in Tihar jail in the CBI case, was produced before Special Judge Arvind Kumar following a production warrant issued on the plea of ED which took him into custody inside the courtroom.

The court, which had earlier reserved order on his bail plea in the CBI case, said, "Considering the overall facts and circumstances, serious nature of allegations, gravity of offence and the fact that investigation is at a crucial stage, I do not consider it to be a fit case for grant of bail."
However, the court directed the jail superintendent to ensure safety and security of the accused. The court also noted the submission made by the accused that he has not been "pressured by anyone and he has not been threatened by any prisoners and everything is OK."