Delhi High Court Reserves Order on Fugitive Economic Offender Petition

The Delhi High Court has reserved its decision on UK-based Sanjay Bhandari's plea against being declared a Fugitive Economic Offender. The court's verdict impacts Bhandari's fate in India, where legal disputes concerning his alleged offenses and extradition proceedings are ongoing.

The Delhi High Court has reserved judgement in the case of UK-based arms consultant Sanjay Bhandari, who is challenging a lower court's decision declaring him a Fugitive Economic Offender (FEO). This development follows extensive discussions led by Justice Neena Bansal Krishna.

Senior Advocate Kapil Sibal, representing Bhandari, argued that the FEO designation effectively strips individuals of their legal rights, pushing for a stay on the ruling to prevent immediate property seizures. The Enforcement Directorate (ED), countered through Advocate Zoheb Hossain, stating that the FEO Act's primary goal is to ensure Bhandari's return to India to answer legal charges.

Previously, the trial court, prompted by the ED, declared Bhandari an FEO for allegedly evading Indian legal processes and possessing undisclosed assets. Despite UK courts blocking his extradition over safety concerns, the ED maintains its stance, leading to significant legal contention between Bhandari's defense and prosecuting authorities.