Lawyers say calls will help AgustaWestland accused to prove his innocence. Special CBI court seeks report from Tihar superintendent on request.
New Delhi: A team of defence lawyers representing AgustaWestland accused Christian Michel Thursday moved an application in the special CBI court seeking permission to allow him to make ISD calls to his friends and relatives.
Michel, currently in Tihar jail as his judicial custody has been extended till 26 February, will bear the cost of the calls himself, the application said.
The application by the team of lawyers that include Aljo K Joseph, M.S Vishnu Sankar and Sriram Parakkat, stated that to allow Michel to make calls to his relatives and friends was important for him to prove his innocence.
“The accused is a British citizen and does not have any near relatives or friends in India,” the application says. “It is humbly submitted that he may be allowed to make ISD calls from the jail so as to enable him to talk to his relatives and friends, which is very much important for him to collect all the materials necessary to prove his innocence before this court.”
Following the application, the special court asked the superintendent of Tihar to file a report on the request by Monday.
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Plea seeks phone calls to lawyers too
The application further states that Michel should also be allowed to make phone calls to his counsels from inside the jail so that he is in a position to explain and discuss his case.
“The court is requested to direct the superintendent of Tihar Jail to allow the accused to make ISD calls to his friends and relatives and local calls to his counsels,” the application says.
Michel had earlier requested jail authorities to allow him to make calls to his counsel and relatives, which was rejected.
“According to law, no one shall be deprived of his life or personal liberty except by procedure established by law and this procedure must be reasonable, fair and just and not arbitrary, whimsical or fanciful,” the application reads. “Also, a prisoner has all the fundamental and legal rights.”