Christian Michel James, the alleged middleman in the high-profile AgustaWestland VVIP chopper deal case, told a Delhi court that leaving the capital would jeopardize his safety. Appearing before Special Judge Sanjay Jindal, Michel argued for his release, citing that he has served the maximum seven-year sentence for the alleged offenses, yet remains in Tihar jail due to his inability to furnish bail bonds.

Michel, who was granted bail by the Supreme Court in the CBI case on February 18 and by the Delhi High Court in the ED case on March 4, expressed deep concerns about his security. “If I step out in Delhi, new charges will be placed on me. It’s not safe,” he told the court, adding that he fears returning with fresh accusations. In a previous hearing on March 7, Michel had even offered to complete his sentence and leave India rather than risk his safety on bail.

In an emotional plea, Michel described the toll of his prolonged detention. “Three years ago, I was a different man. Now, I’m not a human being anymore. My wife hadn’t divorced me then, and my business was surviving,” he said. He also raised concerns about unequal treatment, noting that other accused individuals are allowed to attend trials via video-conferencing, a privilege he has been denied. “Why not me?” he questioned.

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Michel’s counsel highlighted practical challenges, stating that he cannot secure accommodation without an identity card. The counsel urged the British High Commission to provide temporary housing, emphasizing Michel’s precarious situation. The court clarified that bail would be an interim release, with the trial continuing, and scheduled the next hearing for September 10.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) and Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) have strongly opposed Michel’s plea for release under Section 436A of the CrPC, which governs the maximum detention period for undertrial prisoners. In a reply filed on Tuesday, the ED called Michel’s claims “misleading and devoid of merit.” Both agencies have been investigating Michel since his extradition from Dubai in December 2018.

The AgustaWestland case centers on a 2010 deal for VVIP helicopters worth 556.262 million euros, which allegedly caused a loss of 398.21 million euros (approximately Rs 2,666 crore) to the Indian exchequer, according to the CBI. The ED’s 2016 chargesheet further alleges that Michel received 30 million euros (about Rs 225 crore) from AgustaWestland as part of the illicit transactions.

Michel’s ongoing detention, coupled with his fears of new charges and safety risks, underscores the complexity of the case. As the court deliberates his release, the AgustaWestland scandal continues to raise questions about accountability and justice in one of India’s most controversial defense deals.

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