Delhi court orders release of Augusta Westland middleman Michel James in ED case

Special judge Sanjay Jindal of Rouse Avenue court said that offence under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, wherein James is one of the accused, entails a maximum punishment of up to seven years and he had already served seven years in judicial custody in connection with the case. The court said James was entitled to be released accordingly and he could not be detained in the case beyond December 21.

During the proceedings on the application, the counsel for ED, special public prosecutor DP Singh, told the court James must be asked to continue to attend the hearings in the matter even if he is released, so that the proceedings could be taken to a logical end. James’ counsel, Advocate Aljo Joseph, submitted that James was willing to give an undertaking that he shall cooperate in the trial and attend proceedings in the case even after being released.

However, James will continue to stay in judicial custody in the Central Bureau of Investigations (CBI)’s case lodged in the matter and the Rouse Avenue court will decide on an application moved by his counsel for his release in this case on Monday.