'Given the pace, trial won't end in 25 years': Supreme Court grants bail to Christian Michel James in AgustaWestland scam

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday granted bail to the alleged middleman and British national, Christian Michel James, arrested in 2018 for his alleged involvement in the Rs 3,600-crore AgustaWestland VVIP Chopper corruption scam, as the trial has yet not commenced in the case.

A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta granted bail to him, while considering the fact that he has been in custody for the past six years and the investigation by the CBI in the matter was still underway.

"Given the pace at which the case is proceeding, the trial will not be completed even in the next 25 years," the bench observed, rejecting the CBI's opposition to the relief.

The top court said that James would be released on bail, subject to the terms and conditions decided by the trial court.

The court considered the facts in particular that the petitioner, who was extradited in December, 2018, has been in custody since then, i.e. more than six years by now.

It also noted submission by the CBI counsel that despite filing of three charge-sheets and two supplementary charge-sheets, the investigation is still on going.

"It is also apparent from the counter affidavit, and the fact that the trial has not yet commenced, we are inclined to grant bail to the petitioner on such terms and conditions as may be determined by the trial court in connected with the FIR lodged on March 12, 2013," the bench said.

During the hearing, the court questioned the CBI counsel over delay in initiation of the trial.

James had challenged the September 25, 2024 order of the Delhi High Court, declining him bail.

The CBI claimed the accused, James is the alleged middleman in the deal.

Michel, the British citizen, was extradited to India on December 5, 2018 from the UAE. On his arrival in India, he was arrested by the CBI and days later, arrested by the financial probe agency, the ED. Since then, he was lodged in judicial custody at Tihar Jail.

On January 1, 2014, India cancelled the contract with Finmeccanica's British subsidiary AgustaWestland for supplying 12 AW-101 VVIP choppers to the IAF over alleged breach of contractual obligations and on charges of paying kickbacks amounting to Rs 423 crore.

The AgustaWestland case involves a 2007 contract signed by the government to buy 12 luxury helicopters for use by top leaders, including the President, Prime Minister, and former prime ministers.