A Rouse Avenue court has recently expressed grave concern over the disappearance of an inquiry file related to the safety and security of Christian Michel James, the British national jailed in the VVIP chopper deal case.
The file, based on which a report was submitted in August 2019, has reportedly gone missing from the records of Tihar Jail, prompting the court to issue a stern directive to the Director General (Prisons).
“The court is deeply concerned that the case file related to the inquiry, which formed the basis of the 2019 report, is not traceable,” said Special Judge Sanjay Jindal, adding that the issue must be dealt with utmost seriousness.
Taking note of a June 6 report from the Senior Law Officer of the DG Prisons’ office, which confirmed that the file remains untraceable, Judge Jindal has now directed the DG to either recover the original file or submit a detailed explanation of how it went missing.
“If the file still cannot be located, the DG (Prisons) must provide a report on the facts and circumstances that led to its disappearance,” the judge ordered.
Jail Authorities Reminded Of Inmate Safety Obligations
The court also reiterated the jail’s responsibility to ensure Christian Michel’s safety, particularly given previous allegations of threats to his life.
“Needless to mention that the jail authorities are bound to take all necessary safeguards for the safety and security of the applicant/UTP Christian Michel James,” the court noted in its order.
Report Discrepancies, Witness Contradictions Raise Questions
The issue traces back to 2019, when an inquiry was launched after an alleged attempt on Michel’s life inside Tihar Jail. That probe was initiated following an email from the British High Commission, raising concerns over his safety.
The inquiry, led by the DIG (Prisons), concluded that there was no threat to Michel’s life, and the findings were documented in a report dated August 29, 2019. However, during recent proceedings, Michel, represented by Advocate Aljo K Joseph, alleged that the report’s findings contradict witness statements and moved an application on April 30, 2025, seeking a fresh review.
Court Had Sought File Following May 29 Summons
On May 29, the court summoned the original inquiry file to verify the basis of the 2019 conclusions. But jail officials revealed that, despite best efforts, the original case file could not be found. Only a copy of the assessment report was retrieved and attached to the June 6 submission.
The court has now listed the matter for further hearing and compliance on July 7, seeking answers and accountability in what it deems a “matter of serious concern.”
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