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New Delhi, Oct 25 (IANS) A special PMLA court in Delhi on Saturday postponed till November 22 the hearing on the Enforcement Directorate (ED)’s application seeking temporary attachment of assets directly linked to UK-based arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari.
Special Judge Sanjay Jindal took on record the reply filed by the federal probe agency on the questions raised by Bhandari’s lawyers on the documents presented by the ED in the court.
Bhandari’s lawyer claimed that some new documents produced by the investigating agency could be used in the court.
ED had earlier also filed an application to seize Bhandari’s properties in India and abroad. The step was taken after the accused was designated as a Fugitive Economic Offender (FEO) under the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018.
During the hearing, the investigating agency argued that all assets directly or indirectly linked to Bhandari, whether held through corporate entities or individual ownership, are eligible for confiscation.
The agency informed the court that no objection has been raised by any third party in respect of the listed properties, paving the way for legal seizure.
The ED plea covers a wide range of assets, including allegedly prime real estate in Delhi, Noida, Gurugram and foreign stake in London and Dubai.
The properties under investigation also include the controversial Bryanston Square residence in London, which the ED alleges was purchased and renovated using funds linked to Bhandari and allegedly on behalf of businessman Robert Vadra – a claim Vadra has consistently denied.
According to the ED’s arguments, once a person is declared an FEO, two categories of assets become subject to confiscation: property acquired through criminal proceeds and any other property, domestic or foreign, in which the criminal has a direct or indirect stake.
The agency stressed that this legal mechanism is designed to prevent economic offenders from avoiding prosecution by relocating abroad.
Bhandari, who fled to Britain in 2016 after the Income Tax raid, is accused of hiding foreign income of Rs 655 crore and tax evasion of Rs 196 crore.
Despite India’s extradition request being rejected by a UK court, Indian authorities have continued to press for accountability through financial and judicial channels.
Rouse Avenue Court has now fixed the next hearing for November 22.
The outcome of the proceedings will determine whether the ED can move to seize Bhandari’s assets on a large scale, which would mark a turning point in India’s crackdown on high-profile economic fugitives.
–IANS
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