The Supreme Court on Thursday refused to entertain a plea by Christian Michel James, an accused in the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper scam, seeking further modification of his bail conditions.

Michel, who has spent over six years in Tihar Jail, had approached the apex court stating that he is unable to provide a residential address where he would stay post-release, as required under the conditions of his bail.

Expressing displeasure, the bench remarked, “If you have a permanent address inside Tihar Jail, then stay there. What can we do? We granted you bail, and you don’t even want to fulfil the conditions?”

During the hearing, the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) counsel submitted that the Delhi High Court had already granted Michel relief by waiving the requirement of a local surety, allowing him to deposit cash in lieu of surety.

Michel’s lawyer, Advocate Aljo Joseph, reiterated that his client has no local address in Delhi and no family available to comply with the bail conditions. He emphasised the logistical difficulty of meeting the address requirement after years of incarceration.

To this, the bench retorted, “You don’t have family? No one to help? Someone must be giving instructions to your lawyers. Whoever is coordinating outside can help arrange an address. If they can direct your legal case, they can manage this too.”

Finding no merit in the request, the court dismissed the plea, reinforcing that bail conditions must be met and the onus is on Michel and his team to comply.