The Delhi High Court has ordered the recovery of ₹65.9 crore from Indian accounts linked to convicted Canadian civil servant Sanjay Madan, marking a major step in cross-border financial crime enforcement and India-Canada legal cooperation.

Delhi High Court Directs ₹65.9 Crore Recovery from Accounts of Canadian Fraudster

In a significant international legal move, the Delhi High Court has instructed two Indian banks—IndusInd Bank and RBL Bank—to freeze and transfer ₹65.9 crore held in Indian accounts allegedly controlled by Sanjay Madan, a former Canadian civil servant convicted of embezzling COVID-19 relief funds.

Background: Sanjay Madan and the ₹290 Crore COVID-19 Relief Scam

Sanjay Madan, once employed by the Canadian government, was found guilty of orchestrating a large-scale embezzlement scheme involving public funds designated for pandemic relief. The total fraud is estimated at around ₹290 crore. Authorities discovered that Madan had funneled a portion of this amount into multiple Indian bank accounts under false identities.

Court Order Enforces International Restitution Protocols

Presiding over the case, Justice M.P.S. Arora instructed both banks to complete all mandatory Know Your Customer (KYC) procedures and facilitate the transfer of funds to the Government of Canada. This legal directive follows the request made by Canadian authorities under international cooperation frameworks.

Strengthening Cross-Border Legal Cooperation

This landmark decision highlights India’s commitment to global financial transparency and enforcement. The court’s move is rooted in existing Mutual Legal Assistance Treaties (MLATs), which allow countries to collaborate on investigations and the recovery of assets across borders.

India’s Role in Combating Global Financial Crimes

This ruling underscores India’s proactive role in tackling white-collar crime and money laundering at the international level. It also serves as a warning to fraudsters using Indian financial systems to conceal illicit funds. Legal experts view this judgment as a milestone in India’s efforts to protect its banking infrastructure from misuse by foreign nationals.

Conclusion: A Win for International Justice

The Delhi High Court’s order to recover ₹65.9 crore marks a major step toward restoring stolen public funds and reinforces the importance of cross-border legal collaboration. With stricter KYC protocols and enhanced compliance with international treaties, India continues to assert its role as a responsible global financial partner.