Other Inmates trying to interact with him, Christian Michel seeks Separate Cell in Tihar

British businessman Christian Michel, the alleged middleman in the AgustaWestland scam has moved the Patiala House court praying that he be allocated a separate cell in Tihar jail..The application filed through advocates Sriram Parakkat, Aljo Joseph and MS Vishnu Shankar contends that other co-prisoners along with whom Michel has been lodged currently, are asking him detailed questions concerning the pending case and investigation. This, Michel argues, may go against the interest of the investigation as well as the rights available to the accused in the jail including his personal liberty. It also impinges upon his personal liberty, the application contends.. “It is submitted that the accused Christian James Michal apprehends that the inmates along with him in the cell are trying to interact with him in a detailed manner and asking him questions pertaining to the pending investigation. It is submitted that such interactions with the common people/residents in the cell may go against the interest of the investigation as well as the rights available to the accused in the jail. It is even trite to mention that the safety of the persons who are interacting with the accused may at some point of time be in jeopardy. It is informed by the accused that the residents in the cell are putting uncomfortable questions to him which otherwise affect the personal liberty of the accused.”.Michel has also submitted that a few of his Co-Prisoners are likely to be released in a few days either on parole or on bail in the forthcoming days. He, therefore, apprehends that any wrong statements made by any of them through any media interaction may go against his interest as well as the free and fair investigation and trial..Placing reliance on Francis Corallie Mullin v Union Territory of Delhi, Michel has contended that he has the right to be kept in a separate cell to avoid scandalous remarks by inmates who interact or claim to have interacted with him..“It is submitted that the present prayer is not a mere request for some additional facilities in Jail but it is an assertion of the fundamental rights of the accused for a free and fair investigation and trial, which, his right to defend himself, is not deviated by any statement made by any co-prisoners.”.On December 19, 2018, Christian Michel was provided with accommodation in a cell separately. But during the night of December 19 -20, the jail authorities shifted him to a general cell where more than 40 Co-prisoners have been accommodated..A Special Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) Court on December 19 has also reserved its order in the bail plea of British businessman Christian Michel.