British home secretary Suella Braverman clears Sanjay Bhandari’s extradition

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Two months after a Westminster court in London ordered the extradition of fugitive arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari to India, British Home Secretary Suella Braverman has given her approval on the matter.

An overview of the news

• It is noteworthy that on November 7, District Judge Michael Snow ordered Bhandari's extradition which was sent to Home Secretary Suella Braverman for approval.

• Bhandari, 60, has been under investigation since 2019 for corruption in a Rs 2,985-crore deal in 2009 to buy 75 PC-7 trainer aircraft from Swiss aircraft maker Pilatus Aircraft.

• He is also facing a probe for alleged money laundering in properties linked to Robert Vadra, son-in-law of former Congress president Sonia Gandhi in London.

What is Extradition?

• Extradition is the formal process of surrendering a person from one state to another.

• The purpose of this process is the prosecution or punishment for offences committed by a person within the jurisdiction of the requesting country.

• The extradition of a fugitive criminal to India is regulated under the Indian Extradition Act, 1962.

• The Consular, Passport and Visa (CPV) Division, Ministry of External Affairs is the central/nodal authority to administer the Extradition Act.

• Extradition process can be initiated in case of under-investigation, under-trial and convicted criminals.