Delhi court orders release of Christian Michel in AgustaWestland case

India Dec 20, 2025

Christian Michel, an alleged middleman in the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper scam, has been ordered released by a Delhi court.
The judge pointed out that Michel has already spent seven years in judicial custody in connection with the case—matching the maximum jail time allowed under money laundering laws.

What happens next?

Michel's release is based on Section 436A of the CrPC, which limits how long someone can be held without a verdict.
But he isn't walking free just yet—he'll stay in custody for now because of separate CBI charges related to the same scam.
His lawyers told the court he'll keep showing up for trial, and a decision on his bail for those charges is coming up soon.