In a recent development concerning the high-profile AgustaWestland chopper scam case, the Supreme Court of India has declined to entertain a petition filed by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) seeking the cancellation of bail granted to Rajeev Saxena, an accused-turned-approver in the case.

A bench headed by Chief Justice D Y Chandrachud, along with Justices J B Pardiwala and Manoj Misra, stated that they were not inclined to interfere in the matter. The bench emphasized that the trial court, while granting bail to Saxena, had taken into consideration his medical condition and noted his cooperation in the ongoing investigation.

Additional Solicitor General S V Raju, representing the CBI, argued that Saxena was not actively cooperating in the probe and was failing to respond to the questions posed to him. Raju urged the court to issue a directive for Saxena to cooperate more effectively in the investigation. However, the Supreme Court maintained its stance, advising the CBI to pursue the matter through the trial court.

Rajeev Saxena, a Dubai-based businessman, had been extradited to India on January 31, 2019, in connection with the AgustaWestland chopper scam. The allegations revolve around the purchase of 12 VVIP helicopters from AgustaWestland, and Saxena was subsequently arrested by the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case linked to the scam.

On February 16, 2021, a Delhi court had granted bail to Saxena on medical grounds. The court took into account the medical records submitted by AIIMS, which indicated that Saxena was suffering from various serious ailments, including blood cancer, requiring constant medical checkups.

Saxena, who served as the director at two Dubai-based firms—UHY Saxena and Matrix Holdings—was one of the accused named in the charge sheet filed by the Enforcement Directorate in the Rs 3,600-crore AgustaWestland scam.