The Supreme Court has granted bail to British national Christian Michel in the case registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in connection with the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper scam.
Michel, who has been in custody for over six years, was extradited to India in 2018 from Dubai.
The bench, comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta, ruled that Michel could be released on bail under conditions set by the trial court. The court took into account his prolonged incarceration and the slow pace of trial proceedings before granting him relief.
Michel is currently undergoing treatment at AIIMS for a hip replacement surgery. As part of the bail conditions, he will be required to renew his passport but must surrender it immediately after renewal.
During the hearing, the CBI opposed the bail, arguing that the trial was ongoing. However, the Supreme Court bench remarked that at the current pace, the trial might take decades to conclude, making continued incarceration unjustifiable.
Advocate Aljo K Joseph, appearing for Michel, highlighted that his client has already spent over six years in jail. He also noted that a separate bail plea in the case registered by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) is pending before the Delhi High Court.
Michel is accused of being a middleman in the alleged Rs 3,600-crore AgustaWestland helicopter deal. The case revolves around the procurement of 12 VVIP helicopters from AgustaWestland, an Anglo-Italian company, for the Indian Air Force.
Authorities have alleged corruption and money laundering in the deal.
The Supreme Court’s order came in response to Michel’s appeal against the Delhi High Court’s decision on September 25, 2024, which had denied him bail. Following his extradition from Dubai in 2018, Michel has remained in Indian custody while facing legal proceedings in both CBI and ED cases.
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