Latest news with #AgustaWestland
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Indian Express
‘Sad to see trial has not started in 7 years': Judge to AgustaWestland middleman Christian Michel James
Hearing an application moved by Christian Michel James, an accused and alleged middleman in the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper case, Special Judge Sanjeev Aggarwal of Rouse Avenue Court said on Thursday that it was 'sad to see that the trial has not started in seven years'. James, who was extradited from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in 2018 and has been in Tihar jail for close to seven years, had moved an application earlier requesting adequate security measures in prison, alleging that his tea was being poisoned and that there were threats to his life. 'I feel sad for you every time you appear before me,' the Judge said to James. 'Do not feel sad, sir. I have learnt a lot in jail. I now know what I want to do with my life. Jail changed that for me. I have made some tremendous friends in Tihar. One official protected me in jail… he put in 110 per cent effort to keep me safe,' James replied. In a report submitted by Tihar authorities on James's fellow prisoner Shahnawaz, it was stated that he had '41 punishments' against him for his conduct in jail after 2020 during his stay in multiple jails in Tihar. The punishments were under 'disorderly behaviour' and 'prohibited articles', it said. The Tihar authorities also mentioned in the report that Shahnawaz was in Tihar jail cell number 1 from November 2018 to October 2019, during which no complaint was lodged against him. This was the period during which James alleged that there were attempts to 'poison him'. 'How can you keep a foreign prisoner with someone dangerous?' Judge Aggarwal asked the jail authorities. 'We have multiple security arrangements on the basis of the kinds of prisoners. We could not have kept him in solitary confinement,' a jail official responded. 'This is six years old. An enquiry was made and, in its report, it was stated that there is no threat to the accused person's life,' the official added. The court noted that '…it is a matter of serious concern that the accused states that there was an attempt on his life by an co-inmate, who was a desperate criminal, thereby putting his life to peril and further, as stated by him that it was an pre-planned conspiracy to eliminate him in the jail by his enemies related to this case by poisoning him'. It then sought the inquiry file on the basis of which the inquiry report dated August 29, 2019, was given, 'be called from the Senior Law Officer, Prison Head Quarters, New Delhi, through DG (Prison)' and posted the matter for hearing next on June 6. After he was granted bail in both the money laundering case linked to the alleged scam, being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), and the corruption case being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), James had told the court that Delhi, for him, was a larger prison than Tihar. As per the CBI probe in the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper case, a contract for the supply of 12 VVIP/non-VVIP helicopters was awarded to AgustaWestland for Rs 3,726.96 crore, and an agreement to this effect was executed on February 8, 2010, between the defence ministry and the UK firm. The agency alleged that former chief of air staff S P Tyagi, between 2005 and 2007, approved reducing the altitude ceiling for VVIP helicopters from 6,000 to 4,500 metres. This allowed AgustaWestland to enter the fray after being disqualified in 2002, as per the CBI probe. The central agency also alleged that undue favour was given to AgustaWestland for awarding the contract of procurement of VVIP helicopters in its favour by accepting illegal gratification from it through middlemen.
India Today
3 days ago
- India Today
If Tihar is your address, stay there: Supreme Court dismisses Christian Michel's plea
The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to entertain a plea by Christian Michel James, an accused in the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper scam, seeking further modification of his bail who has spent over six years in Tihar Jail, had approached the apex court stating that he is unable to provide a residential address where he would stay post-release, as required under the conditions of his displeasure, the bench remarked, 'If you have a permanent address inside Tihar Jail, then stay there. What can we do? We granted you bail, and you don't even want to fulfil the conditions?' During the hearing, the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) counsel submitted that the Delhi High Court had already granted Michel relief by waiving the requirement of a local surety, allowing him to deposit cash in lieu of lawyer, Advocate Aljo Joseph, reiterated that his client has no local address in Delhi and no family available to comply with the bail conditions. He emphasised the logistical difficulty of meeting the address requirement after years of this, the bench retorted, 'You don't have family? No one to help? Someone must be giving instructions to your lawyers. Whoever is coordinating outside can help arrange an address. If they can direct your legal case, they can manage this too.'Finding no merit in the request, the court dismissed the plea, reinforcing that bail conditions must be met and the onus is on Michel and his team to Watch
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Give local address or stay in Tihar: SC to Agusta accused
Give local address or stay in Tihar: SC to Agusta accused NEW DELHI: Supreme Court on Thursday refused to entertain a plea of AgustaWestland scam accused and British national Christian Michel James for doing away with one of the bail conditions of providing a local address where he would stay after coming out of jail. The court told him that if he could not find a local address, then he had better remain in Tihar jail. Appearing before a bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sanjay Kumar, Christian's lawyer submitted that he had been in jail for more than six years and he did not know anyone who would arrange a home for him to stay. He said his client had to search for a house himself, which he could only do after coming out of jail. The bench, however, asked him why his family members could not help him to ensure that bail conditions were fulfilled. He replied that he got divorced while he was in custody, and none of his family members are in the country to help him. The bench said that it could not do away with the condition as it would be difficult for authorities to track him. It said that family members of the accused could help him out, and he had to provide a local address to get bail. "You have a permanent address in Tihar Jail. You stay there. What else can be done?" the bench said and dismissed his plea. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Delhi HC on March 4 granted bail to Christian in the money laundering case relating to the purchase of VVIP choppers from Italian firm AgustaWestland. He was earlier granted bail by the apex court in a corruption case related to the deal. He was extradited from Dubai in 2018. CBI, in its chargesheet, claimed an estimated loss of 398.2 million euros (about Rs 2,666 crore) to the exchequer due to the deal that was signed on Feb 8, 2010, for the supply of VVIP choppers worth 556.262 million euros.
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Business Standard
3 days ago
- Business
- Business Standard
AgustaWestland Case: SC dismisses Christian Michel's Plea on bail condition
The Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed a petition filed by British national Christian Michel James, the accused middleman in the ₹3,600-crore AgustaWestland money laundering case. Michel had challenged a bail condition that required him to furnish a local residential address. A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sanjay Kumar upheld the Delhi High Court's May 22 order, which directed Michel to provide an address for his residence post-release. Michel has been in Tihar Jail since his extradition from the United Arab Emirates in December 2018. The bench expressed disapproval of Michel's refusal to meet this basic requirement, stating, 'You have a permanent address inside Tihar jail. You stay there only. What to do?' The Enforcement Directorate (ED), which is probing the money laundering aspect of the case, supported the high court's revised conditions and questioned Michel's reluctance. The bench also asked Michel's legal team why the accused, who had actively pursued legal remedies, could not provide an address through family or other contacts. 'We granted you bail and you don't even want to fulfil a condition of providing a local address,' Justice Nath remarked. When Michel's counsel argued that he had no residence in India after over six years of imprisonment, the court noted that his family was involved in his legal representation and could assist with this requirement. The court dismissed the petition outright, calling it 'all an excuse' and reiterating that the bail condition was neither unreasonable nor impractical. Michel, a British citizen, had been granted bail earlier by the Supreme Court and the Delhi High Court in related cases filed by the CBI and ED. Due to his foreign nationality, the high court relaxed some bail conditions, allowing him to submit a personal bond of ₹5 lakh along with a cash surety of ₹10 lakh instead of a local surety. The high court also directed that any new travel documents issued to Michel be deposited directly with the trial court by the British High Commission. The FRRO was instructed to ensure Michel does not leave India. What is the AgustaWestland case? The AgustaWestland case involves allegations of kickbacks in the 2010 deal to procure 12 VVIP helicopters from the Italian firm, leading to an estimated loss of €398.21 million (around ₹2,666 crore) to India. Michel is alleged to have received €30 million (about ₹225 crore) as part of the deal. He is one of three foreign intermediaries named, alongside Guido Haschke and Carlo Gerosa. With the Supreme Court's decision, Michel remains in custody unless he complies with the revised bail conditions.
India Gazette
3 days ago
- Business
- India Gazette
AgustaWestland VVIP Chopper Case: SC dismisses plea of Christian Michel
New Delhi [India], May 29 (ANI): The Supreme Court on Thursday dismissed a plea filed by British citizen Christian Michel, accused in the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper scam, who challenged bail conditions imposed by the Delhi High Court in a money laundering case. A bench of Justice Vikram Nath and Justice Sanjay Kumar rejected Michel's plea against some conditions imposed by the High Court on Michel. Michel has objected to the High Court's direction which asked him to provide the address where he intends to reside after his release. 'You have a permanent address inside the Tihar jail; stay there only. Finished. What to do? You have been granted bail. You don't even want to fulfil a condition of providing a local address,' said the bench as counsel of Michel objected to the conditions of the High Court. Michel's counsel contended that he did not have a local address and could not fulfil the condition of giving an address unless released from custody. He further submitted that the High Court does not have the power to issue directions to the British High Commission, which is a foreign authority. Michel had challenged the Delhi High Court's March 2025 order, which modified his bail conditions in the money laundering case registered by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The High Court had allowed Michel to be released without submitting his passport immediately, as his earlier passport had expired. However, it directed that the British High Commission must deposit his new passport directly with the trial court when issued. It further directed that Michel should furnish the address where he intends to reside after release from the jail and the address would be verified by the trial court before his release. Michel is the alleged middleman arrested in 2018 in a money laundering case connected to the Rs 3,600-crore alleged scam relating to the purchase of 12 VVIP helicopters from AgustaWestland. He was extradited in 2018 after India won the extradition case in Dubai. He is accused of being a middleman for the alleged illegal transactions that took place in the AgustaWestland helicopter deal. The CBI had alleged that there was an estimated loss of Euro 398.21 million (about 2666 Crore) to the exchequer in the deal that was signed on February 8, 2010 for the supply of VVIP choppers worth Euro 556.262 million. Later ED filed a chargesheet against Michel in June, 2016, alleging that he had received EUR 30 million (about Rs 225 crore) from AgustaWestland. (ANI)
