Christian Michel James. File photo
| Photo Credit: PTI

The Delhi High Court on Wednesday (May 7, 2025) reserved its order on a plea filed by Christian Michel James, the alleged middleman in the ₹3,600 crore AgustaWestland VVIP helicopter scam, seeking modification of the bail conditions imposed in the money laundering case being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). 

Mr. James, a British national currently lodged in Tihar Jail, appeared before the court via videoconferencing. He requested a relaxation of two key bail conditions: furnishing a ₹5 lakh surety and surrendering his passport. 

His counsel argued that as a foreign national, Mr. James had no contacts in India who could stand surety for him. Moreover, his passport had expired, and the renewal process would take an estimated four to eight weeks, further delaying his release despite being granted bail. The ED, however, opposed the plea, maintaining that the bail conditions were “just, fair, and reasonable.” It argued that without a local surety or a valid passport on record, there would be no mechanism to ensure Mr. James’ presence in India during trial proceedings.

Mr. James was granted bail in the ED case by the Delhi High Court on March 4, following a reprieve from the Supreme Court in a related CBI case on February 18. He is accused of acting as an intermediary in the AgustaWestland deal, allegedly facilitating bribes to Indian officials to secure a contract to supply 12 AW-101 helicopters.