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Bhandari opposed the ED’s software, arguing that his continued keep in the UK was lawful and guarded, citing a call by the London Excessive Court docket that denied India’s extradition request. His authorized crew contended that in mild of this ruling, he couldn’t be categorised as a fugitive beneath Indian legislation. Nonetheless, the Delhi court docket rejected his arguments and dominated in favour of the ED, paving the way in which for the confiscation of his property in India and overseas.
Bhandari, a controversial determine in India’s defence and arms foyer circles, can be accused in a cash laundering case involving Robert Vadra, the son-in-law of Congress chief Sonia Gandhi. The case pertains to alleged kickbacks and illicit abroad property transactions, which the ED claims have been a part of a fancy net of economic crime.
He lived in India until 2015 and allegedly fled to England after authorized actions have been initiated in opposition to him for owing a considerable amount of Earnings Tax.
Bhandari first got here beneath the scanner in 2016 after Earnings Tax raids at his premises revealed categorised defence paperwork and proof of undisclosed overseas property. Subsequent probes linked him to a collection of offshore entities and unaccounted wealth, with alleged connections to defence procurement offers. He reportedly acted as a intermediary and guide for numerous overseas arms producers searching for contracts with the Indian authorities.
With the court docket now declaring him a fugitive financial offender, the ED is predicted to accentuate efforts to connect and seize Bhandari’s identified properties and monetary pursuits. The ruling can be more likely to strengthen India’s diplomatic and authorized arguments in any future enchantment or extradition overview proceedings within the UK.
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