Delhi court pulls up Tihar Jail authorities over missing threat report of Agusta accused
Calling it a matter of serious concern, a Delhi court on Monday asked the Tihar Jail authorities to produce the original inquiry report file pertaining to the alleged threats to Christian James Michel, the British national accused in the AgustaWestland chopper case.
The court expressed concern that the report, which was prepared following a complaint of a poisoning attempt inside jail, was still missing despite multiple hearings where the issue of Michel's safety was flagged.
Special judge Sanjay Jindal, hearing the matter at Rouse Avenue Court, said it was a 'serious concern' that the inquiry file pertaining to alleged threats faced by Michel from fellow inmate Shahnawaz remained untraceable six years later.
Michel is accused of acting as a middleman in the controversial helicopter deal and is facing proceedings under the Prevention of Corruption Act and money laundering charges.
'Let the Director General (Prisons), Tihar Jail, be asked to trace and produce the above inquiry file. In case the file is still not traceable, then a report regarding the facts and circumstances leading to the untraceability of the inquiry file be submitted on the next date of hearing,' ordered the court, listing the matter next for July 7.
The court also directed Tihar jail authorities to ensure all necessary safeguards for Michel's safety are in place, even as he continues to remain lodged in prison despite being granted bail in both the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED) cases.
Also Read: Delhi court asks Tihar jail to submit inquiry file on security of Christian Michel
The fresh direction came in response to a reply from Tihar jail, which stated that despite best efforts, the original case file of the inquiry conducted by then DG (Prisons) Rajesh Chopra could not be located.
The 2019 inquiry was ordered after Michel alleged that a fellow inmate, Shahnawaz -- who had multiple serious criminal cases and 41 misconduct complaints against him, had attempted to poison him in jail number 1. At the time, Michel had flagged the issue to the British High Commission, triggering an internal probe. However, jail authorities later claimed the inquiry concluded there was no threat to Michel's life.
Despite this, the matter resurfaced earlier this year when Michel, through his counsel Aljo K Joseph, filed an application seeking reconsideration of the findings of that report. He argued that the conclusions of the inquiry contradicted the statements of various witnesses recorded during the proceedings. The court agreed to summon the file for better clarity.
The original direction to produce the report came in April from special judge Sanjeev Aggarwal (now transferred), who observed that the complaint, if true, was of 'serious concern,' noting Michel's claim that it was a pre-planned conspiracy to eliminate him inside jail.
'It will be expedient in the interest of justice that the said inquiry file, on the basis of which the inquiry report dated August 29, 2019, was given, be called from the Senior Law Officer of Prison Headquarters through DG (Prisons),' judge Aggarwal had said.
In that hearing, the jail superintendent had informed the court that both Michel and Shahnawaz were now lodged in separate jails, and Michel was in a safe environment. The superintendent confirmed that the two shared the same ward for ten months in 2019, but Shahnawaz had since been moved.
Judge Aggarwal had also pulled up jail officials then for allowing Michel to share a cell with a hardened criminal, remarking that such lapses 'bring a bad name to the country.'
Michel remains in judicial custody even after the Delhi High Court last month relaxed his bail conditions, allowing him to furnish a personal bond of ₹5 lakh and a cash surety of ₹10 lakh, in place of a local surety bond, which his lawyer said was impossible as Michel had no contacts in India to stand surety for him.
James was extradited on December 4, 2018, from Dubai, where he spent four months in custody.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
44 minutes ago
- Time of India
Chhattisgarh HC denies bail to accused in Rs 411 crore 'Hamar-Lab' scam
RAIPUR: The Chhattisgarh High Court rejected the first bail application of Shashank Chopda, an accused in the alleged Rs 411 crore 'Hamar-Lab' scam. The case, registered by the Economic Offences Wing/Anti-Corruption Bureau (EOW/ACB), Raipur, involves charges under Sections 409 (criminal breach of trust) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code, along with Sections 13(1)(A), 13(2), and 7(C) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. Chief Justice Ramesh Sinha, after hearing arguments from both sides, stated that economic offences are more serious than conventional crimes as they impact the entire economy and pose a grave threat to the country's financial health. The prosecution's case centres on alleged irregularities in the "Hamar-Lab" scheme, launched in 2021 by the Public Health and Family Welfare Department. The scheme aimed to procure essential medical equipment and machines through the Chhattisgarh Medical Services Corporation Ltd (CGMSCL). The FIR alleged that officials from the Directorate of Health Services and CGMSCL placed disproportionate orders without proper budget evaluation or administrative approval, causing a loss of approximately Rs 411 crore to the state exchequer. Senior counsels Siddharth Mridul and Ajay Mishra, appearing for Chopda, argued that their client had no role in the alleged offence and was merely a bidder. They claimed that Chopda's company incurred a loss of Rs 351 crore and was being made a "scapegoat" to evade payment liabilities. They further contended that the EOW/ACB investigation was selective, as no govt officials were questioned or arrested until directed by the High Court. The defence also maintained that there was no risk of evidence tampering since all documents were submitted online and electronic devices, including mobile phones and computers, were already seized. Bail was sought on grounds of parity, citing a Supreme Court stay on the arrest of co-accused Rajesh Gupta in the same case. Dr Sourabh Kumar Pande, Deputy Advocate General for the state, opposed the bail plea, stating that CGMSCL purchased reagents without following due procedures or assessing actual requirements. He alleged that the specifications for medical equipment were "tailor-made" to favour a particular company, resulting in substantial losses. Pande described Chopda as the "mastermind" behind the cartel who influenced govt officials. The Deputy Advocate General also informed the court that five other co-accused, including public servants and CGMSCL officials, were arrested. He expressed concern that if granted bail, Chopda might tamper with evidence or influence witnesses. The High Court observed that economic offences, involving deep-rooted conspiracies and significant losses to public funds, must be treated seriously. It cited Supreme Court judgments emphasising that such crimes impact the national economy and erode public confidence in the financial system. Chief Justice Sinha noted that while a chargesheet was filed against Chopda, the investigation against other accused persons, including govt officials, was ongoing. He stated that the applicant appeared to be a "direct beneficiary" of the crime and could not be equated with co-accused Rajesh Gupta. The court also highlighted that the equipment supplied by Chopda's firm involved "closed system" technology, which would necessitate future procurement of reagents exclusively from his company, potentially leading to a monopoly and depriving the public of access to pathological tests. The court concluded that granting bail at this stage would "embolden corrupt practices" and undermine public trust in the justice delivery system. Chopda, representing Mokshit Corporation, faces several specific allegations, including procuring EDTA tubes (used for blood sample collection) from Mokshit Corporation at an inflated price of Rs 2,352 per piece, while other institutions procured them for a maximum of Rs 8.50. This was later clarified as a typographical error, with the actual price being Rs 23.52 per piece. He is also accused of purchasing reagents worth Rs 300 crore to prevent the expiry of chemicals held by Mokshit Corporation and supplying CBC machines at Rs 17 lakh per unit—significantly higher than the market price of Rs 5 lakh—after Mokshit Corporation was declared L-1 in the tender process. Additionally, he is alleged to have conspired with other firms such as Recorders and Medicare Systems and Shri Sharda Industries to generate illicit profits.
NDTV
an hour ago
- NDTV
Madhya Pradesh High Court To Hear Nursing College Scam Case Daily From July 3
Bhopal: Four years after NDTV first exposed a massive fraud in Madhya Pradesh's nursing colleges, the case has taken a critical turn. The Madhya Pradesh High Court will now hold daily hearings in the case starting July 3, underlining the gravity of what the court has called a "sensitive issue in the health sector." A division bench of Justice Atul Sreedharan and Justice DK Paliwal made the decision during a hearing earlier this week. The court is now treating the Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Vishal Baghel, as the lead case, which is also under investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). "Capital Punishment Should Be Given" In a dramatic moment during the hearing, Justice Sreedharan was visibly shocked after going through the photos and order sheets, revealing the condition of some nursing colleges. "Oh my god," he exclaimed and asked, "Has the court seen these photos before? What is happening?" One photograph showed how the same campus had different boards put up - Engineering, BEd, and Nursing College - changed as per convenience. Another revealed colleges that existed only on plastic boards, without any infrastructure. "There should be capital punishment for people doing this. We forgive them for murders because that's a crime of passion, but these are premeditated offences," Justice Sreedharan said sternly. The bench expressed deep concern, calling the scam a systemic rot that threatens the future of healthcare in the state. The court rebuked officials of the Indian Nursing Council and Madhya Pradesh Nursing Council for repeated non-compliance. Despite 48 hearings and 96 exemptions granted to the officials so far, key records have still not been submitted. The bench observed that this kind of deliberate delay would be treated as "interference in the judicial process." In a previous hearing, too, the court had expressed displeasure over the absence of council representatives. The petitioner has alleged that officials are deliberately obstructing the investigation and shielding those responsible for running fake institutions. After the CBI stepped in, the number of recognised nursing colleges in Madhya Pradesh reportedly dropped from over 600 to around 200, raising serious questions about how these institutions were ever allowed to operate in the first place. "This is not just about education; it's about the quality of health services in the country. We are heading towards destruction," Justice Sreedharan warned. Petitioner Mr Baghel told NDTV, "For the first time this matter was heard by the new bench, and when we presented a complete briefing of three years, the court was
Hans India
4 hours ago
- Hans India
CBI court in Bihar sentences three to 3-year rigorous imprisonment in 1991 bank fraud case
New Delhi: A CBI court in Patna, Bihar, has sentenced three accused to three years of rigorous imprisonment and imposed fines in a bank fraud case filed in 1991. The court sentenced three accused -- two then Managers of Kshetriya Gramin Bank and a private person -- to three years' rigorous imprisonment in Bihar's Darbhanga. A fine of Rs 4 lakh has also been levied upon them. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in a press release on Sunday said the CBI Court at Patna, on Saturday, pronounced the sentence. The three were identified as Barun Kumar Mishra, the then Manager, Mithila Kshetriya Gramin Bank, Kahua Branch, Darbhanga; Mohan Jee Mishra, the then Branch Manager, Mithila Kshetriya Gramin Bank, Bahera Branch, Madhubani and a private person, namely Dayanand Jha. They will undergo three years of Rigorous Imprisonment (RI) with a total fine of Rs 4 lakh in a case related to bank fraud. The CBI had registered the case on August 14, 1991, against Barun Kumar Mishra, the then Officer Incharge of Mithila Kshetriya Gramin Bank (MKGB) Kohua Branch and a Field Officer, Mithila Kshetriya Gramin Bank (MKGB) Kohua Branch. It was alleged that the accused persons, while functioning as branch officer and field officer, respectively of MKG Bank during 1989-90 entered into criminal conspiracy and in furtherance of the said conspiracy they misappropriated a sum of Rs 2,48,642/- by manipulating debit and credit entries in HSS account No.1114, shown maintained in the name of one Dayanand Jha, son of Shardanand Jha, and a resident of Darbhanga. After the investigation, two separate charge sheets were filed by the CBI on November 30, 1994, for different instances of misappropriation. The first charge sheet was filed in the Ld. Court of Special Judge CBI Cases Patna against Barun Kumar Mishra, Mohan Jee Mishra, and Dayanand Jha. The court, after trial, found the accused guilty and sentenced them accordingly. The second charge sheet was filed in the Ld. Court of Special Judicial Magistrate CBI Cases Patna against Barun Kumar Mishra, which is sub-judice in the Muzaffarpur Court in Bihar.
