New Delhi, Dec. 24 -- A Delhi court on Tuesday dismissed a plea moved by the alleged middleman in the AgustaWestland deal, Christian Michel James, that sought his release from the CBI case in the matter on the grounds that the maximum sentence duration in custody had been completed.

The order was passed by Special Judge Sanjay Jindal of Rouse Avenue Court, three days after the same court, allowed Michel's release from judicial custody in the case lodged by Enforcement Directorate in the chopper deal, in accordance with Section 436A of Cr.P.C, which states that an undertrial shall not be detained in custody beyond the maximum prison sentence for the offence.

The court had released Michel after noting that the money laundering offence und...