The Rouse Avenue Court has reserved its order on the Enforcement Directorate’s plea seeking confiscation of properties linked to proclaimed offender and arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari. The Court postponed its decision while considering the ED’s request for seizure.
The Rouse Avenue Court postponed its decision regarding the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) request to confiscate properties linked to arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari, a proclaimed offender.
Special Judge Sanjay Jindal will announce the ruling on February 16, following arguments from both the ED’s counsel and representatives for the other party.
The ED contended that properties directly associated with Bhandari should be seized, particularly after he was classified as a Fugitive Economic Offender.
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This decision is currently under review by the Delhi High Court.
Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) Naveen Kumar Matta and Mohd. Faizan represented the ED, while Special Counsel Zoheb Hossain stated that no objections have been raised regarding Bhandari’s properties, making them eligible for confiscation.
The ED also indicated plans to send letters for the confiscation of properties located overseas, in line with the court’s prior order. The agency emphasized that such confiscation procedures aim to dissuade individuals from fleeing the country to evade prosecution.
Earlier, On July 12, the court allowed Bhandari to pursue all legal remedies following his declaration as a fugitive on July 5, 2025. The ED outlined a range of properties for confiscation, including those in India, Dubai, and the UK, along with properties designated as benami in Noida and Gurugram, various bank accounts, jewelry, cash, and a real estate asset in Vasant Vihar, among others.
The declaration of Sanjay Bhandari as a Fugitive Economic Offender arose from an income tax case related to undisclosed foreign assets, as determined by a Delhi special court on July 5, 2025. This ruling was made at the request of the ED, which alleged that Bhandari had intentionally evaded Indian legal action while possessing assets abroad worth over Rs 100 crore.
The agency maintained that the UK court’s refusal to extradite him does not affect these proceedings, which are independently regulated by Indian law.
In response, Bhandari contested the ED’s claims, asserting that his residence in the UK is legitimate, supported by a ruling from the London High Court that rejected his extradition due to safety concerns in Tihar jail.
His lawyer, senior advocate Maninder Singh, argued that the ED’s request was vague, exceeded its jurisdiction, and did not fulfill the requirements of the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act.
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Singh additionally pointed out that the alleged offense’s valuation did not surpass Rs 100 crore, referencing a 2020 report from the Income Tax Department.
He further noted that the UK High Court had previously dismissed the extradition request based on human rights considerations, citing risks of extortion and violence during Indian custody. The Indian government’s efforts to appeal this decision in the UK Supreme Court were also unsuccessful.