India, Dec. 20 -- A Delhi court on Saturday ordered the release of alleged Augusta Westland middleman Christian Michel James from jail in the money laundering case lodged by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), noting that he had already spent seven years in custody, the maximum punishment for the offence.

Special judge Sanjay Jindal of Rouse Avenue court said that offence under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, wherein James is one of the accused, entails a maximum punishment of up to seven years and he had already served seven years in judicial custody in connection with the case. The court said James was entitled to be released accordingly and he could not be detained in the case beyond December 21.

During the proceed...