A Special court in Delhi passed an order to release British National Christian Michael James, an alleged middleman in the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper scam, on Saturday.
James was in custody in a money laundering case filed by the ED. His earlier bail plea is still pending before the Special CBI court, which prevents him from leaving the country immediately.
The Special Court (PMLA) on Saturday ordered Michel’s release after taking on record his assurance that he would continue to participate in the trial if released from custody.
“Law prevailed. I think there are some good judges in India; I have been lucky to have them. India’s Constitution is excellent, and let’s hope it will be followed, ” James told reporters.
In the backdrop of his expired passport, he hoped the formalities would be completed in due course.
“Everybody has been working,” he said.
The Special Court ordered the release of Christian Michel. His counsel submitted that he had already spent seven years in custody during the trial. This period is equivalent to the maximum punishment he could face for the alleged offences.
Allegations in AgustaWestland Scam
Michel is an accused in the Rs 3,600-crore alleged scam linked to the purchase of 12 VVIP helicopters from AgustaWestland. He faces multiple charges, including corruption, criminal conspiracy, and money laundering.
The deal is alleged to have involved the payment of Rs 250 crore in kickbacks. He was extradited to India from the UAE on December 5, 2018, and was arrested by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) upon arrival.
Days later, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) also arrested him. Since then, Michel had been lodged in judicial custody at Tihar Jail.
In its charge sheet filed in June 2016, the ED alleged that Michel received 30 million euros (about Rs 225 crore) from AgustaWestland.
The CBI, in its charge sheet, alleged that the exchequer suffered an estimated loss of 398.21 million euros (about Rs 2,666 crore) due to the deal signed on February 8, 2010.
The contract was for the supply of 12 VVIP helicopters worth 556.262 million euros (around Rs 3,600 crore).
The case, which involves allegations of international corruption, had also surfaced before a court in Milan.
Despite securing bail from the Delhi High Court in the money laundering case and from the Supreme Court in the CBI case, Michel continued to remain in custody. He was unable to leave India as his passport had expired, and he could not arrange the surety required for bail.
Michel is one of the three alleged middlemen under investigation in the case. The other two are Guido Haschke and Carlo Gerosa.
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