Tue Apr 08 10:53:34 UTC 2025: ## UK Court Rejects India’s Appeal to Extradite Defence Consultant
**London, April 8, 2025** – The High Court in London has denied the Indian government’s request to appeal a decision discharging Sanjay Bhandari, a defence consultant accused of tax evasion and money laundering in India. The ruling, delivered by Lord Justice Timothy Holroyde, upholds a February 28th High Court judgment that blocked Bhandari’s extradition on human rights grounds.
The Indian government’s appeal argued that two points of law were of general importance: the standard of proof required in extradition cases and the conditions in Delhi’s Tihar jail. However, Justice Holroyde stated that neither point warranted Supreme Court review, rejecting the government’s application.
The initial High Court decision cited concerns about Bhandari’s safety in Tihar jail, where he faced a real risk of extortion and violence from fellow inmates or prison officials. This decision was based on Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which protects against inhuman or degrading treatment. A second human rights argument, concerning the right to a fair trial under Article 6, was also upheld.
Bhandari, who provided consultancy services to defence manufacturers, was the subject of two extradition requests from India, one for money laundering and another for tax evasion. While the High Court dismissed four other grounds of his appeal, the concerns about Tihar jail ultimately prevented his extradition. The Indian government has yet to confirm whether it will pursue further legal avenues to challenge the ruling.
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