The Delhi High Court, presided over by Justice Swarna Kanta Sharma, has deferred its verdict on the bail plea of Christian James Michel, a British national embroiled in the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper scandal, accused of money laundering. This development follows a recent decision by the Supreme Court granting Michel bail in a related corruption case overseen by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Michel’s legal counsel, Aljo K Joseph, referenced the Supreme Court’s decision, which cited prolonged delays in the CBI’s handling of the corruption trial as a primary reason for granting bail. The apex court had expressed concerns about the pace of the trial, predicting that it might not conclude within the next 25 years.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED), however, contested Michel’s plea for bail in the High Court, emphasizing his potential as a flight risk due to his British citizenship—a concern that the Supreme Court had also acknowledged. Despite these arguments, Justice Sharma opted to reserve her decision after hearing detailed arguments from both sides.
Michel, who was extradited to India on December 4, 2018, has been a key figure in the Rs 3,600-crore scam that involved the procurement of 12 luxury helicopters. His involvement has drawn significant scrutiny, given the scale of the scandal and its high-profile nature.
Further complicating the legal proceedings, on February 22, a trial court authorized the ED to conduct separate trials for the accused who have adhered to summons from those who have not. Special Judge Sanjeev Aggarwal, overseeing the decision, indicated that splitting the trials would facilitate a fair and expeditious judicial process. This decision comes as 21 out of 60 accused individuals have yet to respond to the ED’s summons.
