Overview
- Sanjay Bhandari’s challenge failed as the Delhi High Court, which ruled Thursday, left intact the Tis Hazari court’s July 5, 2025 order declaring him a fugitive economic offender.
- The tag under India’s 2018 law allows the Enforcement Directorate to take his property, with assets worth about Rs 21 crore already attached under the anti–money laundering law.
- The ruling comes after UK proceedings stalled his return to India, with a Westminster judge ordering extradition in 2022 but the UK high court discharging him in February 2025 and rejecting India’s appeal in April 2025.
- ED’s probe began in 2017 and led to a 2023 filing that alleged he bought and refurbished 12 Bryanston Square in London under Robert Vadra’s direction with funds allegedly provided by him.
- In the appeal, his lawyers said the move was premature without a final tax assessment above ₹100 crore, while government counsel argued the law does not require that and pointed to a 2020 order citing ₹196 crore in undisclosed income.