British Man Released on Bail After Six Years in Indian Custody

Christian Michel, a British arms consultant, has been granted bail after spending six years in custody in India, accused of bribing officials for a military helicopter contract.

A landmark decision by the Delhi High Court has led to the release on bail of Christian James Michel, a British arms consultant detained in India for six years without trial. Michel, who is embroiled in a major corruption scandal associated with the now-defunct $753 million AgustaWestland helicopter deal, was accused of allegedly bribing Indian officials to secure the contract. The 55-year-old, who denies all charges, was extradited from the United Arab Emirates in 2018 and has faced prolonged incarceration due to delayed investigations and trials.

The controversial AgustaWestland deal was signed in February 2010 during the tenure of India's previous Congress party government, amid allegations of irregularities and overpricing. Investigations revealed that Michel might have received around €42 million (approximately $44.7 million) in illicit payments as part of the contract's negotiations, raising concerns over corruption in defense procurement.

Despite multiple investigative bodies examining Michel's alleged actions, his legal team has argued that there is insufficient evidence to substantiate the claims against him. The high court underscored that Michel's lengthy pre-trial detention—remarkably close to the seven-year maximum sentence for the money laundering charges against him—was an extraordinary circumstance warranting his release.

While granted bail, Michel remains unable to leave India due to the seizure of his passport. The original deal for 12 AW-101 helicopters aimed to equip a specialized unit of the Indian air force responsible for transporting high-profile officials, including the president and the prime minister. However, after only three helicopters were delivered, the deal was canceled in 2014 upon revelations about possible kickbacks totaling nearly $67.6 million to Indian authorities.

The case not only underscores significant challenges in global defense procurement practices but also raises questions about accountability amidst allegations of corruption that have reverberated across India’s political landscape.