Court pulls up Tihar jail authorities for missing security files of AgustaWestland accused

British national Christian Michel James, alleged middleman in the AgustaWestland money laundering case. File. | Photo Credit: PTI

A Delhi court on Monday (June 9, 2025) pulled up Tihar jail authorities for failing to find the files related to security of Christian Michel James, accused in AgustaWestland case.

Special Judge Sanjay Jindal termed the lapse as “serious concern” and directed the DG Tihar jail to locate the same and file a report in the matter by July 7.

The remarks came after the Tihar authorities submitted in the court that the original report sought by the court was “not traceable despite best efforts”.

“Considering the seriousness of the issues raised by the accused and the facts which have come on record during recent hearings on the grievance of James, it is matter of serious concern that the case file of the inquiry on the basis of which report dated August 29, 2019 was given, is not traceable,” the court said.

The matter pertains to an application filed by the accused seeking a re-look at the findings of an inquiry report dated August 29, 2019 on the security arrangements for him inside the prison. James alleged it to be a “pre-planned conspiracy” to eliminate him in the jail by his enemies related to this case by poisoning him.

The jail authorities, in their response, have stated that Mr James’s plea was filed after a gap of almost six years. They added that the accused has no threat to his life, while being lodged at present at jail.

Mr Michel, a British national, was extradited from Dubai, where he had spent four months in custody, on December 4, 2018.

He is among the three alleged middlemen being probed in the case and the other two are Guido Haschke and Carlo Gerosa.

The CBI, in its chargesheet, claimed an estimated loss of 398.21 million euros (about ₹2,666 crore) to the exchequer due to the deal that was signed on February 8, 2010, for the supply of VVIP choppers worth 556.262 million euros.

The ED chargesheet filed against James in June 2016 alleged he received 30 million euros (about ₹225 crore) from AgustaWestland.

Published - June 09, 2025 11:32 pm IST