The Delhi High Court on Wednesday rejected the bail plea of Christian Michel James, a British national and the alleged middleman in the Rs 3,600-crore AgustaWestland chopper scam. Michel had sought regular bail in the case, which is being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Bail Plea Rejected by Delhi High Court
The bench, headed by Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma, dismissed Christian Michel’s plea, stating that no significant changes in circumstances warranted reconsidering his bail application. The High Court noted that the serious nature of the allegations, along with Michel’s previous conduct, did not justify his release on bail. The court also reiterated the findings of the trial court, which had earlier rejected his plea on similar grounds.
Pending Enforcement Directorate Case
While Michel’s bail plea in the CBI case has been rejected, his separate plea for bail in a related Enforcement Directorate (ED) case is still pending. The ED case involves money laundering charges tied to alleged bribes paid during the helicopter deal. The Delhi High Court has scheduled the next hearing for arguments in the ED case for November 18, 2024. Both cases remain under intense scrutiny due to their international implications and high-profile nature.
Michel’s Arrest and Extradition
Christian Michel was arrested in Dubai following the issuance of Non-Bailable Warrants (NBWs) in 2015, and a subsequent Red Corner Notice. He was extradited to India on December 4, 2018. The courts have repeatedly cited Michel’s flight risk status due to his failure to cooperate with investigations and his refusal to voluntarily appear before authorities.
CBI’s Opposition to Bail
Senior Advocate DP Singh, representing the CBI, strongly opposed the bail plea, expressing concerns that Michel could use his high-level connections to influence witnesses and tamper with evidence. The CBI argued that Michel’s central role in the scam made it essential to keep him in custody to safeguard the integrity of the investigation. The agency also highlighted that Michel’s release could hinder ongoing judicial proceedings.
The Supreme Court had previously rejected Michel’s bail plea in both the CBI and ED cases. Despite Michel’s extended pre-trial detention, the apex court, along with lower courts, consistently denied bail due to the severity of the charges and the potential risks involved in granting his release.
The AgustaWestland VVIP chopper scam involves the alleged irregularities in the purchase of 12 VVIP helicopters for the Indian government. The deal, worth Rs 3,600 crore, has led to several high-profile arrests and investigations involving multiple international figures. Michel is accused of acting as a middleman, facilitating the payment of bribes to secure the deal.