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Supreme Court Moves Christian Michel Release Plea to Vikram Nath Bench

The case tests how far India can prosecute an extradited person under the IndiaUAE treaty.

Overview

  • Chief Justice Surya Kant’s bench on Friday issued notice on Christian Michel’s challenge and listed the matter before a bench led by Justice Vikram Nath.
  • Michel argues that Article 17 of the 1999 IndiaUAE extradition treaty lets India pursue “connected” offences beyond those approved for extradition, which he says violates the specialty rule.
  • He also says he completed seven years in jail on December 4, 2025 and claims his continued detention is illegal after a trial court rejected his Section 436A release bid.
  • The Delhi High Court on April 8 dismissed his treaty challenge and upheld the trial court’s decision, and he remains in custody despite bail orders in 2025 because he has not met cash surety conditions.
  • Extradited from Dubai in December 2018, Michel is one of three alleged middlemen in the AgustaWestland VVIP chopper case, with the CBI alleging a €398.21 million loss and the ED alleging he received €30 million.