Enforcement Directorate Opposes Bail for Christian Michel James in AgustaWestland Case

The Enforcement Directorate opposed Christian Michel James's bail application related to the AgustaWestland money laundering case. Despite the Supreme Court granting him bail in a related case, ED emphasized that he remains a flight risk. James, extradited from Dubai, has been in jail for over six years.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has vehemently opposed the bail plea of Christian Michel James in the money laundering case tied to the Rs 3,600 crore AgustaWestland scam, as heard by the Delhi High Court on Tuesday.

The agency argued that despite the Supreme Court's decision to grant bail to James in a connected investigation by the CBI, the stringent requirements of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) necessitate further caution. They highlighted James's expired passport and flight risk potential, given his extradition from Dubai and ongoing non-cooperation.

James, a British national, has been imprisoned for over six years, which nearly matches the maximum sentence under the anti-money laundering laws. The case also involves middlemen Guido Haschke and Carlo Gerosa, with the CBI alleging massive financial losses to the Indian exchequer due to the helicopter deal.