Delhi High Court to Decide Fate of Fugitive Sanjay Bhandari

The Delhi High Court has scheduled further hearings for August 8 regarding a plea from UK-based arms consultant Sanjay Bhandari. The plea challenges a trial court's decision declaring him a 'fugitive economic offender'. Justice Neena Bansal Krishna has already heard part of the arguments and is set to decide on the matter within 15 days.

Bhandari's legal representatives are seeking a deferment of trial court proceedings, which are slated for Saturday. They have also requested a halt on asset confiscation efforts. However, the court declined to issue an order, reasoning that if the original order is overturned, the confiscation process will be nullified.

In response to the trial court's July 5 ruling, the Enforcement Directorate has raised objections to the maintainability of Bhandari's plea. The court's decision supports the ED's authority to seize Bhandari's assets, which amount to significant financial sums, despite his legal residency claims in the UK. As of 2016, Bhandari has been residing in London following legal actions by the I-T Department in India.

(With inputs from agencies.)