UK Court Blocks Sanjay Bhandari’s Extradition, Cites India’s Prison Conditions | File Pic (Representational Image)
Mumbai: A London court has blocked the extradition of Sanjay Bhandari, a British-based defence consultant wanted by Indian authorities on charges of tax evasion and money laundering, citing significant risks of torture and systemic abuse within India’s prison system.
The High Court’s ruling has raised wider questions about India’s efforts to repatriate individuals accused of financial crimes, many of whom have sought refuge in the UK. Bhandari, 63, successfully challenged his deportation order after judges concluded that sending him to India would breach his rights under Articles 3 and 6 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which prohibit inhuman treatment and guarantee fair trial protections.
Court Expresses Serious Concerns
The court expressed serious concerns about India’s justice system, particularly the alleged widespread use of torture to extract confessions and the appalling conditions at New Delhi’s Tihar Jail, where Bhandari would likely be detained. India has been seeking Bhandari’s extradition since 2020, accusing him of hiding overseas assets and evading taxes under the Black Money Act of 2015, as well as money laundering under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act of 2002.
Prosecutors allege that Bhandari used backdated documents to avoid declaring foreign holdings during his time in India. Bhandari, who denies all charges, fled to the UK in 2016 after the allegations surfaced. In their judgment, judges Timothy Holroyde and Karen Steyn cited ongoing issues within Indian detention facilities, including a 2023 incident in which an inmate was murdered in front of prison staff at Tihar. They also noted that abuse by law enforcement appeared “endemic,” with insufficient safeguards to protect detainees from coercion or violence.
The ruling also referenced defence claims that Bhandari could face extortion by authorities if returned. Bhandari’s legal team described him as a defence sector consultant who previously advised firms bidding for Indian government contracts through his company, Offset India Solutions. His career gained further attention in 2018 when he sued French aerospace firm Thales, claiming unpaid fees for helping secure a fighter jet maintenance contract—a claim Thales disputed.
The UK Home Office initially approved India’s extradition request in June 2020, with British ministers formally ordering his deportation in January 2023. However, the High Court’s decision highlights the ongoing challenges India faces in prosecuting high-profile fugitives abroad, particularly amid international criticism of its judicial and penal systems.
India’s High Commission In London On The Ruling
India’s High Commission in London declined to comment on the ruling, as did Bhandari’s representatives. The case adds to a growing list of prolonged legal battles involving Indian nationals in the UK, raising important questions about the evidentiary standards and human rights safeguards required for cross-border prosecutions. Legal experts suggest that this ruling could set a precedent for future extraditions, Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi, Mehul Choksi, Lalit Modi, who have fled India.
