SC Grants Bail To Christian Michel After Over 6 Years In Custody In Agustawestland VVIP Chopper Scam

(MENAFN- Live Mint) The Supreme Court on Tuesday granted bail to British citizen Christian Michel, accused in the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper scam in the case registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

In March 2024, Christian Michel had filed a petition in the Supreme Cou rt requesting for immediate release from jail, citing right to life and freedom. In 2024, Michel had said he has spent five years and three months in jail, while the maximum punishment in the case, if he is found guilty, is five years.

He said the investigation is not over and the trial has not even started, so his further judicial detention is "illegal".

Also Read | AgustaWestland case: Delhi HC dismisses bail plea by middleman Christian Michel Who is British citizen Christian Michel?

Christian Michel James is a British businessman who was active in the Indian defense sector and is a key figure in the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper scam. Michel along with Guido Haschke and Carlo Gerosa are accused of bribing influential individuals in India to secure a deal for AgustaWestland helicopters.

Also Read | AgustaWestland: ED attaches assets worth ₹385 cr of middleman Rajiv Saxena

In June 2016, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) alleged that Michel received €42 million in kickbacks from AgustaWestland for facilitating the helicopter deal, disguising these payments as legitimate transactions.

Michel was arrested in Dubai in February 2017 and extradited to India in December 2018.

Also Read | AgustaWestland scam: ED arrests accused Rajiv Saxena in money laundering case What is the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper scam?

The AgustaWestland VVIP chopper scam, also known as the Indian helicopter bribery scandal, is a corruption case involving the purchase of 12 AgustaWestland AW101 helicopters by the Indian government for VVIP transport. Here are the key details:

Contract Overview : In February 2010, the Indian government, under the United Progressive Alliance (UPA), signed a contract worth approximately ₹3,600 crore with AgustaWestland, a subsidiary of the Italian defense contractor Finmeccanica, to procure AW101 helicopters intended for VVIP's travel including – India's President and Prime Minister

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