The Supreme Court on Tuesday granted bail to British national Christian Michel, an accused in the AgustaWestland chopper scam.

A bench comprising Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta granted bail to Christian Michel following the rejection of his bail plea by the Delhi High Court in September 2024.

Advocates Sriram Parakkat, Aljo Joseph, and MS Vishnu Shankar represented Christian Michel, while Additional Solicitor General SV Raju appeared for the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), which is handling the case.

Extradited to India in December 2018, Christian Michel has remained in custody since then. 

He is accused of signing twelve contracts with AgustaWestland to legitimize illicit commissions and kickbacks totaling 42.27 million euros in connection with the procurement of VVIP helicopters by the Government of India. 

According to the CBI, bribes amounting to approximately USD 33 million were funneled through bank accounts in the UK and UAE.

On September 25, 2024, the Delhi High Court denied Michel's bail plea, prompting the present appeal before the Supreme Court. 

Earlier, a trial court in Delhi had also rejected a similar plea for his release. 

The Supreme Court had previously dismissed his bail petitions in February 2023 and March 2024. 

Following these rejections, Michel filed a fresh bail plea, which was turned down by both the trial court and the High Court before reaching the Supreme Court again.