Christian Michel: British citizen accused of bribery granted bail after six years detained in India

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy A British citizen accused of bribery in India has been given bail, six years after he was first detained. The Supreme Court cited delays in the trial as a key reason for granting 64-year-old Mr Michel’s latest request, with Justices Vikram Nath and Sandeep Mehta expressing concern over its slow progress. Justice Mehta questioned the delay in the trial and said on Tuesday: “, you will not be able to conclude trial in 25 years.” The court said: “Considering facts and circumstances and that petitioner was extradited in 2018 and has been in custody for more than six years now, and Central Bureau of Investigation filing two chargesheets and supplementary chargesheet, we are inclined to grant bail on condition as set by trial court.” The CBI alleges that Mr Michel paid bribes to senior Indian government officials to secure the chopper deal for Agusta in 2010. He has also previously alleged that senior CBI officials met him in Dubai before his extradition, offering a deal to spare him prison if he confessed and turned witness against Congress leaders, including “the Gandhi family” and the late MP Ahmed Patel, over the 2010 AgustaWestland deal.