AgustaWestland chopper scam: Delhi HC rejects British National Christian michel bail plea in CBI Case

New Delhi [India], September 25 : In the Rs 3,600-crore AgustaWestland chopper scam case, the Delhi High Court on Wednesday rejected the bail plea of British national Christian Michel James, the alleged middleman in the scam.
Michel sought regular bail in the case being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which pertains to the purchase of 12 VVIP helicopters for the Indian government.
While his plea for regular bail in the CBI case has been rejected, Michel's bail plea in a related Enforcement Directorate (ED) case is pending before the Delhi High Court and the court has rescheduled the hearing for arguments in that case to November 18, 2024. The ED case involves money laundering charges linked to the bribes allegedly paid during the helicopter deal. This case remains under intense scrutiny due to its high-profile nature and international connections.
In the ongoing AgustaWestland VVIP chopper scam case, the Delhi High Court, led by Justice Dinesh Kumar Sharma, dismissed the bail plea of Christian Michel James, a British national and the alleged middleman in the Rs3,600-crore deal. The court noted that there was no significant change in circumstances or new grounds that would justify reconsidering the bail. Earlier, the trial court had also rejected his bail plea, citing the serious nature of the allegations against him.
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 trial court pointed out that Michel had not voluntarily appeared before the court or cooperated with the investigation, making him a flight risk. Thus, he could not claim parity with other accused individuals who were granted bail.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), represented by Senior Advocate DP Singh, expressed concerns that if Michel were granted bail, he could potentially influence witnesses and tamper with evidence due to his high-level connections. The CBI also stressed the importance of ensuring the accused's presence and safeguarding the investigation.
The Supreme Court had also previously rejected Michel's bail plea in the cases lodged by the CBI and Enforcement Directorate (ED). The CBI argued that Michel's release could hinder the investigation and judicial process, given his central role in the case. Despite concerns over his long pre-trial detention, both the lower courts and the apex court have consistently denied his bail applications.