The Supreme Court on Friday issued a notice to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), seeking its response to a bail plea filed by Christian Michel James, the alleged middleman in the Rs 3,600-crore AgustaWestland helicopter scam. Justices Vikram Nath and P B Varale have granted the CBI four weeks to reply to the petition.
The controversy centers on the procurement of 12 VVIP helicopters from the Italian defense manufacturing giant, AgustaWestland, a deal mired in allegations of kickbacks and corruption. Michel, a key figure in the case, is a British national who was extradited from Dubai in December 2018 and has been in custody since his arrest upon arrival.
This judicial inquiry comes after the Delhi High Court, on September 25, denied Michel’s request for bail, prompting him to approach the apex court for relief. The case has been one of high-profile nature due to the alleged involvement of several Indian politicians and defense officials.
Michel’s legal team argues that the prolonged detention without bail is unjust, while the CBI maintains that his release could compromise the investigation, given the severity and international scope of the allegations.
