A Delhi court has voiced "serious concern" over the disappearance of a crucial inquiry file concerning the security of Christian Michel James, an accused in the AgustaWestland case who is currently lodged in Tihar Jail. Special Judge Sanjay Jindal has directed Tihar authorities to locate the missing file and submit a report on the matter by July 7, 2025.
The missing file pertains to an inquiry conducted into the security arrangements for James within the prison. The court's concern stems from the "seriousness of the issues raised by the accused" and the facts that have emerged during recent hearings regarding James' grievances. The inquiry report in question is dated August 29, 2019, and its findings are central to James' plea seeking a re-evaluation of his security arrangements.
James has expressed fears for his safety within Tihar Jail, alleging a "pre-planned conspiracy" to eliminate him by poisoning. He claims that enemies related to the AgustaWestland case are plotting against him. These allegations add another layer of complexity to the case, emphasizing the importance of the missing security file.
The jail authorities, however, have downplayed James' concerns, stating that his application was filed after a significant delay of almost six years. They also maintain that James faces no threat to his life while incarcerated in Jail 4 of Tihar, where he is supposedly under "safe and secure custody." Furthermore, the authorities refuted allegations that James was being held with a "desperate accused" who had a history of misconduct within the prison.
Despite these assurances, the court has taken a stern view of the missing file, emphasizing the need for all necessary safeguards to be in place for James' safety and security. Judge Jindal has instructed the Director General (Prisons) of Tihar Jail to personally oversee the search for the file. If the file remains untraceable, the DG (Prisons) must submit a report detailing the circumstances leading to its disappearance.
The AgustaWestland case involves allegations of bribery and corruption in a deal to purchase 12 VVIP helicopters from the Italian company AgustaWestland. Christian Michel James is one of the alleged middlemen in the case, accused of receiving kickbacks to facilitate the deal. He was extradited from Dubai in December 2018 and has been in custody in India ever since.
While James has been granted bail in both the CBI and ED cases related to the AgustaWestland matter, he has remained in jail due to concerns about his security. In March 2025, he even offered to "finish his sentence" and return to the United Kingdom, rather than risk being released on bail in India, highlighting the gravity of his safety concerns.
The disappearance of the security inquiry file raises questions about the record-keeping practices and security protocols within Tihar Jail. It also underscores the challenges of ensuring the safety and security of high-profile inmates facing serious allegations. The court's intervention reflects the seriousness of the situation and the need for a thorough investigation into the matter. The Tihar Jail authorities are now under pressure to locate the missing file and provide a satisfactory explanation for its disappearance, as the case continues to unfold.
