Sanjay bhandari extradition case: Delhi’s Rousse Avnu Court heard a petition filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) against the famous arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari, demanding him to declare him a ‘fugitive economic criminal’. Senior advocate Maninder Singh, appearing for Bhandari, told the court that his client’s stay in Britain is completely valid and the Indian government itself cannot disregard the UK court order.

Protection is received by order of UK court

The lawyer argued in the court that in February 2025, the London High Court rejected Bhandari’s extradition to Bhandari, saying that there was a real danger of violence and forced recovery in Tihar Jail. Based on this, the UK government ‘discharged’ him from extradition. The lawyer said that if the UK court has given protection to Bhandari, it would be wrong to declare him a ‘fugitive’.

100 crore rupees did not fulfill the condition

Bhandari’s lawyer also said that the ED’s petition does not fulfill the necessary conditions of the ‘Physical Economic Offenders Act’. He said that under this law, the accused can be declared a ‘fugitive’ only when the amount of allegations against him is 100 crore or more. But the Income Tax Department itself admitted in the Delhi High Court that the amount of alleged tax evasion and black money allegations against Sanjay Bhandari is less than 100 crores.

ED misleads court- lawyer

Sanjay Bhandari’s counsel alleged that when the ED filed this petition, there was no such assessment that confirmed 100 crores, yet the court was explained that this amount had crossed.

ED answer time, next hearing on 3 May

Special Judge Sanjeev Aggarwal gave the Enforcement Directorate till May 3 to respond to Bhandari’s arguments after hearing. The court said that time is given in the interest of justice. Now the counter debate on this petition will be heard on 3 May.

Sanjay Bhandari’s name has also come in the case related to Robert Vadra

Significantly, Sanjay Bhandari’s name has also come in the investigation of money laundering against Robert Vadra, brother -in -law of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. Apart from this, Mehul Choksi has also cited Bhandari’s case after recently rejected another extradition petition of the Government of India by the UK court.

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