New Delhi: The Delhi High Court on Friday (February 28) reserved its verdict on a bail plea filed by alleged middleman Christian Michel James in a money laundering case in the Rs 3,600 crore AgustaWestland ‘scam’.
Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma reserved the verdict after hearing arguments from the parties – Enforcement Directorate (ED) and James.
James, a British national, was extradited from Dubai in 2018
James is a British national and was extradited from Dubai in December, 2018 and he was subsequently arrested in the Rs 3,600-crore alleged scam relating to the purchase of 12 VVIP helicopters from chopper design and manufacturing company AgustaWestland.
What did the ED submit before the High Court?
The counsel representing the ED told the High Court that although James was granted bail by the Supreme Court in the predicate offence being probed by the CBI, the case registered under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) demanded satisfaction of the twin test to grant the relief and he did not meet the twin test. The counsel further said that he was a flight risk, and he had to be extradited as he did not join the probe.
What did James submit before the High Court?
The counsel representing James said that his passport has already expired and argued that his client has he already spent a substantial amount of time in custody and has spent over six years in jail, while the maximum punishment under the anti-money laundering law is seven years.
Apex court recently granted bail to James in CBI case
The top court on February 18 granted bail to James in the case registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), noting that he was in custody in the case for the last six years and the investigation into the matter is still underway.
