15-square-meter cell awaits arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari in Tihar jail

New Delhi: A cell measuring 15.6 square meters in ward number 4 of jail number 3 inside Delhi' Tihar prison complex along with four meals a day awaits alleged arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari whenever he is extradited to India from the United Kingdom (UK). India informed the UK court about these specific provisions during the extradition proceedings of Bhandari.

Last month the UK court ordered his extradition to India and, as per the procedure laid down in this regard, forwarded the case to the British Secretary of State for final orders.

Bhandari can still appeal against the orders of the Secretary of State in a higher court. But whenever he is brought back to India to face trials on the charges of money laundering and tax evasion, he will be kept in ward number 4 of the central jail number 3 in Tihar. 

The Indian government has given an undertaking in this regard to the British court that even though three inmates are kept in a single cell of the ward but in Bhadhari's case he may be kept alone in the cell. 

In the UK court's final stage of the extradition proceedings, India even specified the measurement of the cell in which Bhandari would be kept.

India assured the court that Bhandari would be "kept alone in a cell with dimensions of approximately 21x8x11 feet, amounting to approximately 15.6 square meters".


Indian lawyers further informed the court Bhandari's cell will be well-lit and have access to natural light. It would also have access to a toilet.

"He will have access to proper bedding, clean and drinkable water, fresh air and open space for exercise. The defendant’s (Bhandari) ward will be guarded 24/7 and includes CCTV surveillance for monitoring by senior officers of the jail. The defendant will have access to a number of medical facilities and will be provided with four meals a day," the UK listed out assurances given by India in its judgment after Bhandari's lawyers and expert witnesses raised the question of overcrowding and violence with inmates in Tihar. 

Besides, the money laundering and tax evasion charges brought up by the Enforcement Directorate and Income Tax department, Bhandari is also investigated by the Delhi police for offences under the Official Secrets Act and the CBI for two cases of criminal conspiracy, cheating and “acceptance of illegal gratification. One of the CBI cases pertains to the procurement of Pilatus aircraft for the Indian Air Force wherein it is suspected that bribes were given.

Bhandari had left India for the UK in 2016 where India lodged an extradition request to bring him back.

The Indian assurance to the UK court also contained details about the anti-covid measures, like vaccination of jail staff, adopted by the Tihar administration, further adding that the prison hospital is equipped with oxygen for Covid patients.

The government said Bhandari will have access to a telephone facility to call his family, and videoconferencing for contacting his family and his lawyers.

The court was also told that the Tihar jail offered a number of activities - like yoga, meditation and spiritual courses, television and radio, educational courses, computer centres, music rooms and an art gallery for inmates.