British Man Detained in India for Years Granted Bail

The ruling emphasizes concerns over prolonged detention and the lack of conclusive evidence in a high-profile bribery scandal.

A British national, Christian James Michel, has been granted bail by the Delhi High Court after spending six years in custody without trial in connection with a major corruption case. Michel, an arms consultant, was extradited from the United Arab Emirates in 2018 and is accused of bribing Indian officials to secure a lucrative helicopter contract for the British-Italian defense firm, AgustaWestland, a charge he denies.

Michel’s detention has raised eyebrows due to what the court described as an "exceptional" situation. The AgustaWestland deal involved the purchase of 12 helicopters by the Indian government in 2010 but was mired in controversy over allegations that irregularities and potential overpayments occurred. An audit suggested that India may have excessively paid for the $753 million contract, prompting its eventual cancellation in 2014.

Court documents allege that Michel received approximately €42 million ($44.7 million) as part of the scheme to secure the contract, but his lawyer contended that evidence linking him to the charges is lacking. Several investigations into the case, including those by India’s financial crime agency, remain ongoing without any trials having commenced.

The Delhi High Court expressed concerns regarding Michel’s prolonged detention, noting that it was alarmingly close to the maximum seven-year sentence he could face for money laundering. His bail comes after the Supreme Court granted a related decision earlier this year, allowing him to leave the high-security Tihar jail but barring him from exiting India due to the seizure of his passport.

The AgustaWestland deal led to only three helicopters being delivered to India before it was terminated, as suspicions of up to $67.6 million in kickbacks to Indian officials emerged. Although Italian executives linked to the case were acquitted in 2018, Indian authorities maintain that their trials have no bearing on the ongoing proceedings in India.

Michel’s case continues to be a pivotal focus amid inquiries into corruption connected to the former Congress party government, which has faced scrutiny regarding multiple such scandals in recent years.