Christian Michel Granted Bail After Six Years in AgustaWestland Corruption Case

India's Supreme Court cited prolonged detention and trial delays in granting bail to the British arms consultant accused of facilitating bribes in a 2010 helicopter deal.

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.