ED opposes release of Agusta case accused

NEW DELHI: ED told a Delhi court Tuesday that submissions by Christian Michel James, alleged middleman in the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper scam, for his release in a money laundering case linked to the deal are "misleading" and "devoid of merits".

ED's stand came after James's counsel informed special judge Sanjay Jindal Monday that his client had already undergone the maximum sentence prescribed for the offences for which he was extradited to India from UAE in 2018. Therefore, he argued that he is entitled to be released under section 436-A of CrPC.

This section deals with the maximum period for which an undertrial prisoner can be detained. It states if an undertrial is detained for a period extending up to one-half of the maximum imprisonment specified for the offence, the person should be released on personal bonds, potentially with or without sureties. This provision applies to offences not punishable by death. In its reply, ED cited Article 17 of the 'Extradition Treaty' with the UAE.