UN panel’s conclusions on VVIP chopper rip-off accused Michel primarily based on restricted information, biased allegations: MEA

Image Source : FILE PHOTO Conclusions drawn by Working Group primarily based on restricted data, biased allegations from an unidentified supply and on an inaccurate understanding of India’s prison justice system, says MEA on queries on opinion of Working Group on Arbitrary Detention regarding Christian Michel.
Rejecting the opinion of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention calling for the fast launch of AgustaWestland VVIP chopper deal case accused British nationwide Christian Michel, India on Friday stated the conclusions drawn by the UN panel are primarily based on restricted data, biased allegations and an inaccurate understanding of its prison justice system.

India additionally made it clear that the Working Group will not be a judicial physique, and due to this fact, its opinions are usually not legally binding on the member states.

Detained Arbitrarily: WGAD 

AFP on Thursday reported that the United Nations Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD) discovered that Michel, who has been held in India since December 2018 after being extradited from the United Arab Emirates, was being “detained arbitrarily”.

Responding to queries over the report, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Anurag Srivastava stated, “We have seen selective leaks of the opinion of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention concerning the case of Christian James Michel, even before its official release.”

“At the outset we would like to make it clear that the Working Group is not a judicial body, and therefore, its opinions are not legally binding on the Member States,” he stated.

Srivastava stated the Indian authorities offered well timed data on this situation to the Working Group in June 2020, at their request.

Conclusions primarily based on biased allegations says MEA

“We regret that the conclusions drawn by the Working Group are based on limited information, biased allegations from an unidentified source and on an inaccurate understanding of India’s criminal justice system,” he asserted.

The extradition was achieved totally in accordance with the provisions of the extradition treaty signed between two sovereign states, Srivastava stated, including that the arrest and subsequent custody have been achieved as per the due means of regulation and can’t be thought of arbitrary on any grounds.

Conclusions drawn by Working Group based on limited information, biased allegations from an unidentified source and on an inaccurate understanding of India’s criminal justice system:MEA spox on queries on opinion of Working Group on Arbitrary Detention concerning Christian Michel pic.twitter.com/q2w7yuVI2B

— ANI (@ANI) February 26, 2021

“At no time was the accused denied his rights to legal counsel or a fair hearing. The fact that he has been able to approach courts on multiple occasions including the higher judiciary is itself proof of this,” the MEA Spokesperson stated.

There have additionally been no restrictions on consular entry by the authorities, he asserted.

Michel has been handled on par with different detainees and offered all services by the jail authorities as per guidelines, Srivastava stated.

The Working Group needs to be conscious that India has a strong grievance redressal mechanisms in opposition to allegations of violations of human rights in a vibrant and unbiased judiciary and a ‘class A’ National Human Rights Commission compliant with the Paris Principles, he stated.

Srivastava stated the allegations which kind the idea of the opinion rendered by the Working Group are opposite to details.

“The Government of India, therefore, rejects the opinion rendered by the Working Group,” he stated.

India, as a accountable member of the Human Rights Council, will proceed to cooperate with the Working Group and supply it with the mandatory data to the extent potential below Indian legal guidelines, to advertise and shield human rights of all, the MEA spokesperson stated.

Michel is an accused within the VVIP chopper rip-off and has been in jail ever since he was introduced on a particular airplane from Dubai after UAE authorities handed him over to the Indian authorities in December 2018.
Latest India News