Setback for arms consultant, Delhi HC upholds 'fugitive offender' tag

NEW DELHI: Delhi HC on Thursday upheld a trial court's order declaring UK-based arms consultant Sanjay Bhandari a "fugitive economic offender" in connection with a money laundering case. Justice Neena Bansal Krishna found no merit in the appeal filed on behalf of the fugitive and dismissed it. In July 2025, a trial court had declared Bhandari a "fugitive economic offender" on a plea by ED, enabling the agency to confiscate all of Bhandari's assets. However, his chances of coming to India were virtually nullified after a UK court ruled against his extradition. Bhandari's legal team claimed he was "legally living there (in the UK), and declaring him a 'fugitive' in that scenario is legally wrong". The trial court said the extradition attempt may have failed, but it would "not make the accused an angel or immune from prosecution for the violation of Indian laws".