The Supreme Court on Tuesday declined to entertain the bail plea of British national and AgustaWestland chopper scam accused Christian Michel.
A bench of Chief Justice D.Y. Chandrachud and Justices P.S. Narasimha and J.B. Pardiwala observed that Section 436A of the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC), would not be applicable in the instant case and it will not allow Section 436A plea.
Section 436A of CrPC allows undertrials to be released on bail if they have undergone half the sentence of the maximum punishment that they can be sentenced to if convicted.
"We find no merit in the special leave petition," said the bench, adding that this order would not come in the way of the petitioner moving the trial court for regular bail. The apex court was informed that Michel has been in custody for over 4 years.
During the hearing, the bench queried Michel's counsel: "How would you assure that you would not be a flight risk?" and he replied that agencies had thrice visited his client in Dubai, where he had cooperated.
Advocate Aljo Joseph, representing Michel, contended all the co-accused who were extradited in connection with the same offence, have been granted bail, however his client has served half of the sentence.
Additional Solicitor General Sanjay Jain, representing the ED and the CBI, submitted that the allegations involve money laundering, illegal gratification, among others. However, the bench pointed out that no charge sheet has been filed in the matter and the probe as well as detention was still ongoing.
The bench queried: "How long will you keep him in custody ultimately, say something.... a particular time."
It told Jain that it cannot be open ended from their side and there should be a time period to complete the probe. Jain replied that custody would be necessary till the letters rogatory (LR) are answered. The bench asked, "How long will the process of LRs continue?"
After hearing detailed arguments, the top court declined to entertain Michel's bail pleas.
The apex court was informed that as per the extradition treaty with the United Arab Emirates (UAE), British nationals cannot be tried for offences apart from what he was extradited for.
Manipur: Security forces nab eight militants with arms, ammunition
In a series of successful joint operations, Assam Rifles, in coordination with Manipur Police, apprehended eight hardcore militants from different locations of three districts in the violence-hit state, officials said on Wednesday.
Tripura’s unemployment ratio less than national average, says CM Saha
Of the 2,806 candidates, 2437 multi-tasking staff (Group-D) would be posted in 37 departments while 369 pharmacists and laboratory technicians would be posted in the health and other departments, Saha said and termed the day in providing government jobs as historic.
PM Modi presenting NE region as ‘Astalakshmi’: HM Amit Shah
Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi, considering the huge development and enormous resources of the eight northeastern states, is presenting the region before the country as ‘Astalakshmi’.
BJP set to storm back to power in Delhi after 27 years: Exit polls
A poll of seven exit polls predicted 42-49 seats for the BJP in the Assembly election to end its 27-year jinx, signalling an end of Arvind Kejriwal’s winning streak in Delhi after three back-to-back victories. The final results will be declared on February 8.
India's gold investments surge 60 pc to Rs 1.5 lakh crore in 2024: Report
Gold investments in India saw a significant surge in 2024 with a rise of 60 per cent in value terms to reach $18 billion (approximately Rs 1.5 lakh crore) compared to 2023, according to a report on Wednesday.
Fate of 699 candidates sealed as voting for Delhi polls ends
A total of 1.5 crore eligible Delhi voters sealed the fate of 699 candidates in the Assembly election on Wednesday to pick a new 70-member House with the turnout hovering around 60 per cent till reports last came in at 6 p.m., an official said.
PM Modi condoles demise of eminent philanthropist and spiritual leader Prince Karim Aga Khan
Calling him a visionary who dedicated his entire life to service and spirituality, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday condoled the demise of noted billionaire philanthropist and spiritual leader Prince Karim Aga Khan IV.
57.70 per cent voter turnout recorded in Delhi Assembly polls
Voting to pick a new 70-member Delhi Assembly continued peacefully on Wednesday as the turnout touched 57.70 per cent till 5 p.m. with the ruling AAP eyeing a fourth straight win and the BJP putting up a tough fight to return to power after 1998.