UK-Based Arms Dealer Sanjay Bhandari Declared Fugitive Economic Offender By Delhi Court

The ED registered a criminal case of money laundering against UK-based arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari and others in February 2017, following a charge sheet filed by the Income Tax Department

Bhandari’s case has also drawn attention to Robert Vadra, who is under scrutiny in connection with the arms dealer

Source : Pexels

A Delhi court on Saturday declared UK-based arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari a fugitive economic offender, acting on a plea by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), officials said. The order was passed by a special court under the provisions of the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018. According to the ED, Bhandari fled to the UK in 2016. A recent request by Indian authorities for his extradition was rejected by a UK court, reported PTI.

The ED registered a criminal case of money laundering against UK-based arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari and others in February 2017, following a charge sheet filed by the Income Tax Department under the 2015 anti-black money law. The ED later filed its own charge sheet against Bhandari in 2020.

UK High Court

This development comes after a UK court recently rejected India’s request for Bhandari’s extradition. In its decision, the UK High Court observed that Bhandari would face a "real risk of extortion, torture or violence" in Delhi’s Tihar Jail, either from fellow inmates or prison staff.

Despite the setback, Indian authorities believe the recent ruling by a Delhi court declaring Bhandari a fugitive economic offender under the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018, will bolster India's legal position in its efforts to secure his extradition.

Bhandari’s case has also drawn attention to Robert Vadra, who is under scrutiny in connection with the arms dealer. Last month, Vadra received fresh summons related to a 2023 ED charge sheet, in which the agency alleged that Bhandari purchased and renovated a London property in 2009 using funds supposedly provided by Vadra.

Bhandari joins a list of high-profile individuals wanted by Indian agencies who are currently living abroad. These include former liquor tycoon Vijay Mallya and diamond merchant Nirav Modi (both in the UK), jeweller Mehul Choksi (Belgium), Islamic preacher Zakir Naik (Malaysia), businessmen Chetan and Nitin Sandesara (Nigeria), underworld figure Iqbal Mirchi’s wife Hajra Memon and sons Asiq and Junaid Iqbal Memon (UK), Khalistani separatist Gurpatwant Singh Pannun (US), and gangster Goldy Brar (Canada).