Agustawestland case: Delhi HC retains order under Christian Michel's request for relaxation of bail conditions

Christian Michelle James. File Photos | Photo Source: PTI

The Delhi High Court retained the order filed by Christian Michel James on Wednesday (7 May 2025) by Christian Michel James, allegedly a middleman of Rs 3,600 crore, seeking bail cases in bail cases imposed on the Enforcement Bureau (ED).

Mr James, a British national currently living in Tihar Prison, appeared in court via video conference. He demanded two key bail conditions to be relaxed: provide a margin of Rs 5 lakh and surrender to his passport.

His lawyer argued that as a foreign national, Mr. James had no contact in India and could guarantee him. In addition, his passport has expired and the renewal process is estimated to take four to eight weeks, and his release has further delayed his release despite being released on bail. However, the emergency room opposed the request, insisting that the bail conditions were “fair, fair, and reasonable”. It believes that without a local guarantor or a valid passport, there will be no mechanism to ensure James' presence in India during the trial process.

Mr James was released on bail in the ED case on March 4 after he was suspended by the Supreme Court on February 18 in a related CBI case.