Delhi High Court Bail: The Delhi High Court granted bail to Christian James Michel, a British arms consultant, on Tuesday in connection with the AgustaWestland chopper scam. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had registered an FIR against Michel in the money laundering case. Earlier, Michel was granted bail by the Supreme Court in February 2024 in a related case registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).
Bail Granted Amid Ongoing Investigations
Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma allowed Christian Michel’s bail application, considering that his passport had expired and he had already spent over six years in jail. His counsel emphasized that the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) carries a maximum punishment of seven years, and Michel had served a significant portion of that term.
Delhi High Court Bail: Background of the AgustaWestland Chopper Scam
Christian Michel, who is often referred to as a ‘middleman’ in the AgustaWestland chopper scam, was arrested in December 2018 after being extradited from Dubai. The scandal, which surfaced in 2013, involved allegations of bribes paid to middlemen and Indian officials to secure a ₹3,600 crore contract for 12 VVIP helicopters. Michel was accused of funnelling €51 million to Indian politicians and officials through complex financial transactions.
Delhi High Court Bail: Previous Denial of Bail and Legal Arguments
In 2022, Christian Michel was denied bail in both the CBI and ED cases by a Delhi High Court bench. However, his bail application was granted in 2024 due to the extended time he had already spent in jail. Michel had previously filed a petition in the Supreme Court in March 2024, arguing that his continued detention was illegal, citing violations of his right to life and freedom.
Details of the AgustaWestland Deal and Its Fallout
Delhi High Court Bail: The AgustaWestland scam involved the alteration of specifications to favour the company, including changes to the operating ceiling. It led to an investigation implicating senior political and military figures. Alleged kickbacks were paid to Congress leaders, according to Italian prosecutors, and the deal was cancelled in 2014 due to a breach of integrity. Only three helicopters were delivered, and payments were frozen. The CBI subsequently launched an investigation, questioning figures such as the former IAF Chief SP Tyagi.
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