New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a chargesheet against Robert Vadra in connection with a money-laundering case.
This is the first time that any probe agency has filed a prosecution complaint against Congress Lok Sabha MP Priyanka Gandhi’s husband in a criminal case.
The chargesheet against the 56-year-old businessman Vadra, against whom multiple probes are ongoing, pertains to the controversial 3.53-acre land deal in Gurugram’s Shikohpur in 2008. The ED chargesheet has named several other individuals and firms.
Vadra, who was questioned over three days in the case in April, claimed the move was part of a “political vendetta” aimed at silencing him and his brother-in-law, Congress leader and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi.
The central agency has also attached 43 properties worth Rs 37.6 crore belonging to Vadra and his company Sky Light Hospitality Pvt. Ltd (SLHPL), PTI reported quoting sources.
Vadra’s two firms – SLHPL and SLRPL (Sky Light Realty Pvt Ltd) — had only Rs 1 lakh each in their bank accounts when the land worth Rs 7.5 crore was purchased, alleged ED.
After purchase, Vadra’s firm applied for developing the land for commercial activity, and the Congress-helmed Haryana government approved a licence within just four days.
Pointing out alleged irregularities in the land deal, an ED official said, SLHPL purchased the land without making any payment. It was SLRPL which issued a cheque, but it was never presented to the bank for encashment.
Vadra is also facing ED probe in money-laundering case against arms middleman Sanjay Bhandari and a land deal in Rajasthan’s Bikaner.
