The Bail Application filed by the main accused Christian Michel James, in Agusta Westland VVIP chopper scam case, has been dismissed by the Special CBI Judge Arvind Kumar again.

The bail application was moved by Christian Michel James who has been in custody for the past 375 days and has undergone 600 hours of custodial interrogation by both Central Bureau of Investigation and Enforcement Directorate.

It was submitted by the counsel of accused that the Enforcement Directorate has filed fourth supplementary complaint without any incriminating material except for certain tall claims. It was also submitted that the investigation qua accused is over and no useful purpose will be served by keeping the applicant in further incarceration.

On the other hand Ld. Counsel for Enforcement Directorate submitted that he was the middleman who negotiated on behalf of M/s. Agusta Westland and during such negotiation he was getting crucial information about the progress of procurement process of VVIP Helicopters from IAF and MOD through his sources and passing on these informations to M/s. Agusta Westland.

The Special Judge in his order stated that the bail is denied considering overall facts and circumstances, serious nature of accusations, gravity of offence and the crucial stage of accusations.

The matter is regarding a contract for supply of 12 VVIP/non VVIP helicopters was awarded to M/s. Agusta Westland International Ltd. for an amount of Euro 556.262 million and an agreement was executed between Ministry of Defence, Government of India and M/s. Agusta Westland International Ltd. The accused Christian Michel acted as a middleman and got crucial confidential information and passed it to M/s. Agusta Westland for which he was paid huge bribe amount.

 

– India Legal Bureau