Christian Michel James, a British national accused of being a middleman in the AgustaWestland money laundering case, on Friday (March 7, 2025) refused to accept bail, citing security concerns and his inability to safely move around in India. Instead, he expressed his willingness to serve his sentence and leave the country upon completion.
Michel made the statement while appearing before Special Judge Sanjeev Aggarwal at the Rouse Avenue Court in New Delhi. His refusal comes despite the Delhi High Court granting him bail in the Enforcement Directorate (ED) case on March 4 and the Supreme Court extending relief in the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) case on February 18, contingent upon the trial court’s conditions.
The court laid down strict conditions for Michel’s bail, including in-person attendance before investigating officers every 15 days, submission of his contact details and residential address, restrictions on media interactions, and a prohibition on leaving the country without permission. Additionally, he was asked to furnish a personal bond and surety of ₹10 lakh in both cases and surrender his passport.
Despite these provisions, Michel remained firm in his decision. When the judge inquired about his well-being and the recent legal developments favouring his release, Michel responded, “Delhi is just a bigger prison. My family cannot visit me, and my security is at risk. I would rather serve my sentence and leave the country afterward.”
His concerns stem from incidents he claimed to have faced outside prison. “Every time I step out of Tihar (jail), something happens,” Michel asserted. He also expressed difficulties in arranging surety bonds, questioning how someone incarcerated for six years could secure local guarantors.
The court attempted to reassure Michel, suggesting that he could find a secure place to stay in Delhi. However, he insisted on narrating his experiences in private, away from the presence of police and media personnel. The judge agreed to this request and briefly cleared the courtroom.
Michel was extradited from Dubai to India in December 2018 and subsequently arrested by the CBI and ED in connection with the AgustaWestland helicopter deal. He is one of the three alleged middlemen under investigation, along with Guido Haschke and Carlo Gerosa.
According to the CBI’s chargesheet, the 2010 VVIP chopper deal resulted in an estimated loss of 398.21 million euros (approximately ₹2,666 crore) to the Indian exchequer. The ED’s investigation, which led to a separate chargesheet in June 2016, alleged that Michel received 30 million euros (about ₹225 crore) from AgustaWestland to facilitate the deal. Also referred to as the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper deal, the Indian helicopter bribery scandal by Congress led UPA Government refers to a multimillion-dollar corruption case in India, wherein money was paid to middlemen and Indian officials in 2006 and 2007 to purchase helicopters for high level politicians.
The court’s decision to grant Michel bail was based on the prolonged trial process, with the Supreme Court noting that at the current pace, the case might take over 25 years to conclude. However, Michel’s rejection of bail adds another layer of complexity to the case, raising questions about his security concerns and future legal proceedings in India.
While the court has ensured legal safeguards in granting bail, Michel’s refusal indicates an unusual stance for a high-profile accused. The matter now remains with the judicial authorities as they assess how to proceed with his case in light of his apprehensions.
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