Supreme Court Seeks Centre’s Response on Christian Michel’s Plea Against Continued Detention

The Supreme Court issued notice to the Central Government regarding a plea by British national Christian Michel James challenging his continued detention in the AgustaWestland VVIP helicopter scam case.

The Bench is examining Michel’s challenge to Article 17 of the India-UAE Extradition Treaty, which permits prosecution for "connected" offences.

Michel contends this treaty provision cannot override Section 21 of the Extradition Act, which limits prosecution to offences specified in the extradition decree.

Having spent over seven years in custody, Michel argues he has already served the maximum sentence for his original charges. The Centre must respond by July.

[Christian Michel James v. UOI]