Overview

• Christian Michel, a British national, was extradited to India in 2018 and has been in custody for over six years without a completed trial.
• The AgustaWestland case involves allegations of corruption and bribery in a €556 million deal for 12 VVIP helicopters signed in 2010 under India’s UPA government.
• Michel is accused of acting as a middleman, allegedly receiving €30-42 million in kickbacks and facilitating bribes to Indian officials to secure the contract.
• India's Supreme Court granted bail, citing concerns over trial delays, with justices noting that the investigation has yet to conclude despite multiple chargesheets filed by the CBI and ED.
• The case has political and international dimensions, with Michel alleging pressure to implicate opposition figures and the UN previously deeming his detention arbitrary.