सुप्रीम कोर्ट ने अगस्ता वेस्टलैंड केस में याचिका खारिज की: कहा- अमीर लोग केस दर्ज होने पर कानून को चुनौती देने लगते हैं

The Supreme Court said that rich people think that they can bypass the system. File Image

The Supreme Court on Tuesday took a tough stance on the plea of ​​lawyer Gautam Khaitan, accused in the AgustaWestland VVIP helicopter scam.

The court called it an attempt to avoid trial and rejected the petition. Khaitan had challenged a section of the Anti Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The bench of CJI Surya Kant and Justice Joymalya Bagchi said – It has become a new trend that instead of facing the trial, rich accused start challenging the validity of the law in the Supreme Court.

The court said that such people think that they can bypass the system, but we will not let this happen. He should face trial like a common citizen.

Senior lawyer Siddharth Luthra said in the argument that this petition is not for any privilege, but is related to the review petitions of the already pending Vijay Madanlal Chaudhary case, but the court refused to accept it.

AgustaWestland helicopter scam in dates

1999-2005: The Government of India stated the need for new helicopters for VVIP trips. Initial technical specifications were finalized, which included parameters such as altitude and cabin height.

2006-2009: Tender process started. There were allegations that the technical conditions were changed so that certain companies, particularly AgustaWestland, could be eligible.

February 2010: Agreement between the Government of India and AgustaWestland to purchase 12 AW-101 VVIP helicopters. The deal value is around ₹3,600 crore.

2011-2012: Three helicopters reached India. The payment process continued.

February 2013: During a hearing in an Italian court, it was revealed that a bribe of around €51 million (approximately ₹350 crore) was paid for the deal. The case made international headlines.

March-December 2013: In India, CBI and ED registered a case and started investigation. The investigation into the role of middlemen and former Air Force officers in the deal intensified.

January 2014: Indian government cancels AgustaWestland deal. The company was blacklisted. The process of sending back the recovered helicopters started.

2014-2015: Some accused were convicted in the lower court of Italy, later the decisions were changed in the higher court. Investigating agencies in India filed charge sheets.

2016-2017: The alleged middleman Christian Michel came to the center of the investigation. Extradition efforts intensified.

December 2018: Christian Michel was extradited from Dubai and brought to India. He was interrogated by CBI and ED.

2019-2022: Court hearing continues in money laundering and corruption cases. Bail granted in some cases, custody extended in some cases.

2023-2026: Case pending in different courts. The judicial process is ongoing.

Christian Michel. file photo

AgustaWestland case: Order to release Christian Michel in money laundering case

On December 20, 2025, the Special Judge Court of Rouse Avenue, Delhi had ordered the release of Christian Michel James, accused in the money laundering case, from custody. Christian is currently lodged in Delhi’s Tihar Jail.

Christian had argued in the court that he had already spent time in jail equal to the maximum sentence of 7 years in the AgustaWestland case. Therefore he should be released.

After the order, Christian Michel had said that there are some good judges in India. I am satisfied with the court order. However, Christian has not been released from jail as he will remain in custody in the CBI case related to this case. Christian’s petition is also pending in this case.

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