AgustaWestland scam: Christian Michael gets relief

The Supreme Court has granted bail to British national Christian Michael James, who is accused of being the main middleman in the AgustaWestland chopper scam . The CBI and ED are investigating the alleged irregularities in the purchase of 12 VVIP helicopters worth Rs 3,600 crore. Michael was arrested in December 2018.He was extradited to India from Dubai and arrested.
The CBI and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) are investigating the case separately.
The Supreme Court had earlier rejected Michael's bail plea. He approached the Supreme Court again in 2023, but even then he was not granted bail.

Allegations, scale of the scam A deal worth
Rs 3600 crore was signed during the UPA regime to purchase helicopters.
An investigation has been launched on allegations of corruption. There are allegations that Rs 480 crore was paid as bribe. The investigating officers said that Michael acted as a middleman in this deal.
Serious illness, court orders
Michael is facing serious health problems.
He told the court that he needs a hip replacement surgery and is suffering from pain.
On January 12, the Delhi court gave permission for the surgery at AIIMS hospital.
The Supreme Court's latest decision
took into account the serious health condition and granted bail to him.
This decision was taken only after the CBI sought his reply. Christian Michael has been in Indian custody since his arrest in 2018. Now that the Supreme Court has granted bail, the case will enter the next phase. While the CBI and ED investigation is still ongoing, Michael is yet to face the final hearing.