India – Indian Express, March 03, 2025
James, one of the alleged middlemen in the deal for the purchase of 12 VVIP choppers, was extradited from the United Arab Emirates in 2018 to stand trial in the case.
The Delhi High Court, on Friday, reserved its order on the bail plea of British national Christian Michel James, the alleged middleman in the Rs 3,600-crore AgustaWestland chopper deal, in a case registered by the Enforcement Directorate.
James’ counsel Aljo Joseph reiterated to Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma that James has already undergone seven years and one month of incarceration, including incarceration in Dubai, and thus has completed the maximum possible punishment for the offences he is accused of, along with remission.
ED’s counsel, on the other hand, submitted that the period of incarceration in Dubai cannot be counted and argued that he has been incarcerated for a little over six years in an Indian prison.
ED also reiterated that he is a flight risk. Joseph, countering ED’s submission, added, “the purpose of staying in india is to serve the sentence. So I’ve completed 7 years with remission.”
