New Delhi. The Delhi High Court on Friday dismissed the bail applications of Christian Michel James, an alleged middleman in the AgustaWestland scam case.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) are investigating the scam. Justice Manoj Kumar Ohri said, “The petition is dismissed. The same order is passed in other application also.”
Significantly, the alleged scam of Rs 3,600 crore is related to the purchase of 12 VVIP helicopters from AgustaWestland. Requesting his release in the cases registered by the CBI and the ED, James had said that he was not required for the purpose of investigation and had expressed his willingness to cooperate in the investigation.
The petitions also contend that the accused never tried to evade the process of law and no purpose would be served by keeping him in further custody. Both the CBI and the ED opposed the bail plea. James was extradited from Dubai in December 2018 and later arrested by two investigative agencies.