Born in Gujarat he moved to London in 1974, going on to gain British nationality.
Prior to his arms dealing Hemant and his wife Kusum ran a number of businesses, including an export/import business Multitrade (London) Ltd and Reliance Clothing Company Ltd.
The extent of Hemant's background in Russia remains unknown, although one of his fellow directors in the Reliance Clothing Company is known to mantain a Moscow address. He was first noticed by the FSB in March 2003 and his past is presently being investigated by India's Central Bureau of Investigation
It is thought that he approached the Dyagteryov Arms Factory to purchase the missile after researching the company on the internet. Due to a tip-off from MI6, the FSB agent posed as a representative of the company to sell him a disabled Igla missile.
There is some evidence that MI6 grew interested in him after he made contact with Ukrspetsexport an arms company suspected of supplying illegal arms to Iraq.
If found guilty of providing material support to terrorists and unlicensed arms trading he could face a prison sentence of 25 years.
He has a son Sanjay Lakhani who lives in New York and runs a garment-district clothing business called "Survival."