Fri Dec 06 07:06:17 UTC 2024: ## Supreme Court to Hear AgustaWestland Middleman’s Bail Plea

**New Delhi, December 6, 2024** – The Supreme Court of India will review the bail application of Christian Michel James, the alleged middleman in the AgustaWestland VVIP helicopter scam. A bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and P.B. Varale issued a notice to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), seeking a response within four weeks.

Michel, arrested and extradited from Dubai in December 2018, has been in custody for over six years. His lawyer, Aljo Joseph, argued that his client’s health is deteriorating. While the court had previously rejected Michel’s bail pleas, citing the seriousness of the charges, including forgery with a potential life sentence, Justice Nath acknowledged the length of his imprisonment. The case will be heard again in January.

The ₹3,600 crore scam involves the alleged fraudulent purchase of 12 VVIP helicopters from AgustaWestland in 2010. The CBI alleges a loss of approximately ₹2,666 crore to the Indian exchequer, while the Enforcement Directorate (ED) claims Michel received €30 million (approximately ₹225 crore) in bribes. The investigation, initiated in 2013, has spanned over nine years, focusing on events dating back to 2004. The Supreme Court’s decision on Michel’s bail plea is highly anticipated.

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