Sanjay Bhandari Refutes ED’s Fugitive Offender Plea, Cites UK Court’s Extradition Denial
New Delhi: Controversial arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari has formally opposed the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) move to label him a fugitive economic offender in a high-profile black money case. His legal team cited the UK High Court’s recent ruling that denied his extradition to India, primarily over serious human rights concerns.
Appearing before Special Judge Sanjeev Aggarwal in a Delhi court on Saturday, senior advocate Maninder Singh representing Bhandari argued that the ED’s application failed to meet legal standards under the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act. Singh highlighted that Bhandari’s continued residence in the United Kingdom is lawful and protected under British jurisdiction.
In February 2025, the UK High Court of Justice ruled against India’s extradition request, stating that Bhandari’s transfer could place him at risk of extortion and violence in Tihar Jail. The court found the Indian government’s assurances on prison conditions including overcrowding, understaffing, and general safety insufficient and inadequate.
The defense also challenged the ED’s claim that the alleged offense involves more than ₹100 crore, which is a key requirement under the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act. According to Singh, earlier assessments by the Income Tax Department in 2020 placed the figure below that threshold.
Furthermore, Bhandari’s legal team noted that while he was previously arrested in the UK based on Indian non-bailable warrants, he was later discharged by the UK High Court, and no active warrants remain.
Adding to India’s legal challenges, the UK High Court recently dismissed India’s petition to escalate the extradition appeal to the UK Supreme Court a decision seen as another major blow to the Indian authorities.
The Delhi court has set May 3 as the date for the ED’s rebuttal arguments, where the agency is expected to contest the defense’s claims and push forward its application to declare Bhandari a fugitive under Indian law.
This case continues to underline the international legal complexities surrounding extradition, sovereignty, and the protection of human rights especially in the context of high-profile economic offenders.