Can liberty be deprived due to nationality, SC asks agencies

The Supreme Court on Tuesday asked government agencies whether Christian Michel James - an alleged middleman in a now-scrapped '3,600-crore air force deal for helicopters - could be kept behind bars merely because he was a "foreign national".

A bench comprising Chief Justice of India DY Chandrachud and Justice PS Narasimha was hearing a bail plea filed by Michel, who has been in jail for over four years after he was extradited from Dubai.

Speaking for the Bench, the CJI verbally enquired: "For how long can he be kept behind the bars just because he is a foreign national? Ordinarily, if he was an Indian national, the court would be inclined to grant bail. One thing worrying us is the complexity of this trial - as many as 200 witnesses. How long do we keep him inside (jail)?"


The CJI asked whether some conditions could be imposed to ensure his appearance in court in the case.