The Delhi High Court has recently relaxed the bail conditions for Christian James Michel, a British national and key accused in the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper scam. Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma issued the modified bail order on May 22, 2025, in response to Michel's application for changing two specific conditions imposed earlier.
Previously, Michel was required to furnish both a personal bond and a surety bond of ₹5 lakh each and surrender his passport before the trial court. However, given his status as a foreign national and lack of local connections, he was unable to find a surety in India. Additionally, Michel’s passport had expired, making compliance with the earlier condition practically impossible.
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“The applicant has no one in India who can stand as a surety for him,” the Court noted, acknowledging his continued incarceration of over six years and two months without trial proceedings even starting.
Recognizing these concerns, the High Court allowed Michel to replace the surety bond with a cash surety of ₹10 lakh, along with a personal bond of ₹5 lakh. The Court also permitted his release on bail without immediately surrendering his passport. However, the British High Commission was directed not to hand over any newly issued passport to Michel. Instead, the passport must be directly submitted to the Trial Court.
“This Court also directs that the condition that the applicant shall deposit his passport with the learned Trial Court (as modified above) shall be strictly adhered to,” the Court emphasized.
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Further, Michel must follow several strict conditions imposed by the trial court. He must report to the investigating officer once every 15 days and provide a verified residential address where he intends to stay after his release. Any change in address must be promptly shared with both the trial court and investigating officer.
“The accused shall not leave India without the permission of this Court,” stated the Court order.
Michel was arrested in December 2018 after being extradited from Dubai. He is accused of acting as a middleman and allegedly receiving over €30 million (approximately ₹225 crore) in illegal payments related to the procurement of VVIP helicopters by the Indian government in 2010. The total loss to the public exchequer in the deal is estimated to be around €398 million.
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He had earlier been denied bail in 2022, but in February 2025, the Supreme Court granted him bail in the related CBI case, citing the prolonged investigation and delay in starting the trial. The High Court followed suit on March 4, 2025, in the ED case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), considering the same reasons.
“Considering that there seems to be no possibility of the trial concluding soon within the remaining period of the maximum prescribed sentence, bail is justified,” the Court observed in its original bail order.
Case Title: Christian Michel James v. ED
Counsel for Petitioner: Mr. Aljo K. Joseph, Mr. Vishnu Shankar, Mr. Sriram P, Mr. Sheikh Mohsin, Advocates
Counsel for Respondent: Mr. Zoheb Hossain, Special Counsel for ED with Mr. Vivek Gurnani, Panel Counsel for ED with Mr. Kartik Sabharwal, Ms. Pranjal Tripathi and Mr. Kanishk Maurya, Advocates
