Christian Michel James was extradited from Dubai in December, 2018, and was subsequently arrested. The alleged scam relates to the purchase of 12 VVIP helicopters from chopper design and manufacturing company AgustaWestland. James moved the apex court challenging the Delhi High Court’s September 25, 2024 order refusing him bail in the case. The top court said James would be released on bail, subject to terms and conditions decided by the trial court. He has been in custody for the past six years while the investigation in the matter was still underway, a bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta observed. The case is currently being investigated by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) James has been granted bail by the Supreme Court on Tuesday. He will be able to apply for bail again after the trial is completed, the court said. The trial is expected to take place in the next few weeks. The CBI is investigating the purported Rs 3,600-crore Agust aWestland case of the CBI.
