SC grants bail to 'middleman' Michel in Agusta chopper case

NEW DELHI: Raising questions on delay in trial, SC granted bail to British arms consultant and alleged middleman, Christian James Michel, in the AgustaWestland chopper scam case being investigated by the CBI.
A bench of Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta granted him bail with a condition that he should renew his passport and subsequently surrender it. Opposing his bail plea, CBI contended that he was extradited from Dubai to face trial in the case and he should not be granted relief. The bench asked the agency why his continued custody was needed even after six years when the chargesheet had already been filed.
The court said the trial had not even started and it might take 25 years to conclude. "Considering facts and circumstances of the case and in particular, that petitioner who was extradited in 2018 and has been in custody for more than 6 years now, and according to the Respondent CBI despite filing 3 chargesheets and 2 supplementary chargesheets, the investigation is still ongoing as stated in the counter affidavit. We are inclined to grant bail on conditions as may be determined by the trial court," the bench said.