Proceedings in the extradition case of arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari, who is wanted in India on money laundering charges, will begin on June 7, 2021, a UK court has said.
Bhandari, who was arrested on an extradition warrant back in July, was due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court in London on Thursday (10) for a case management hearing.
But District Judge DJ Goldspring said the hearing was vacated, as all outstanding matters had been dealt with between the parties, with directions given via email.
"Mr Bhandari’s bail conditions have been extended until February 5, 2021," he said, indicating the next date for a bail hearing in the case.
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), representing the Indian government, said Bhandari was sought in India for prosecution under the country's Prevention of Money Laundering Act 2002.
The arms dealer faces cases filed by India's Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
The Indian government’s extradition request for Bhandari had been certified by Home Secretary Priti Patel on June 16, and he was arrested a month later on July 15.
He was granted bail on a £120,000 security and the surrender of his passport, with other restrictions including curfew at his central London home, and regular visits to a police station.
Meanwhile, the latest set of hearings in the extradition case of another alleged Indian economic offender, Nirav Modi, was also taken up in same court building on Thursday.
The 49-year-old diamantaire, wanted in a £1.55-billion Punjab National Bank fraud and money laundering cases, has been lodged at Wandsworth Prison in London since his arrest in March last year.
Modi's case will return to Westminster Magistrates’ Court for further hearings on November 3, and then in early December. The judgment is expected at the end of the year or early next year.
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session. (Photo: Hertfordshire Police /Handout via REUTERS)
Man pleads not guilty to murder of BBC presenter's family
A 26-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to charges of murdering the wife and two daughters of BBC sports commentator John Hunt in a crossbow and knife attack.
Kyle Clifford, who also faces charges of rape, appeared via video link at Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday.
Clifford, arrested in July after a manhunt, is charged with three counts of murder, one count each of rape and false imprisonment, and two counts of possessing offensive weapons – a 10-inch knife and a crossbow.
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session.
He is expected to enter a plea for that charge at a later date.
The victims were Carol Hunt, 61, wife of horseracing commentator John Hunt, and their daughters Louise, 25, and Hannah, 28.
An earlier hearing revealed that Louise had been found tied up and that both she and her sister had been shot with a crossbow, while their mother had been stabbed with a knife.
The fatal attack occurred at the family’s home in Bushey, a commuter town near Watford, northwest of London.
(With inputs from AFP)