Court issues notice to Robert Vadra in money laundering case
What's the story
A Delhi court has issued a notice to businessman Robert Vadra, husband of Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, in connection with a money laundering case. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) had filed the complaint, and the Rouse Avenue Court has now scheduled a hearing for August 28. This will be at the pre-cognizance stage, where the proposed accused parties will respond to allegations before formal charges are filed.
Case details
Vadra named in charge sheet
The ED has filed a charge sheet naming Vadra, three individuals, and eight firms in connection with a Gurgaon land deal. The case involves allegations of laundering "proceeds of crime" worth over ₹58 crore. Among the other accused are Onkareshwar Properties and its promoters/directors Satyanand Yajee and K S Virk. This is the second charge sheet against members of the Gandhi family in recent months.
Ongoing probes
Probe into land deals in Haryana and Rajasthan
Vadra is also being probed in several other money laundering cases related to land deals during the past Congress regimes in Haryana and Rajasthan. He allegedly got undue benefits from Haryana's then Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, who allowed a change of land use from agricultural to commercial/residential for Vadra's properties. This led to huge profits for him.
International links
Links to fugitive arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari
Vadra is also being probed in a money laundering case involving fugitive arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari. He allegedly bought properties in London and Dubai through Bhandari with the proceeds of various defense contracts. In the current case, Vadra is accused of buying 3.5 acres in Gurgaon's Sector 83 through Skylight Hospitality Pvt Ltd from Onkareshwar Properties Pvt Ltd for ₹7.5 crore on February 12, 2008.
Investigation progress
ED attached properties linked to Vadra
The land was later sold to DLF for ₹58 crore, making a profit of ₹50 crore. The ED's probe is based on a Gurgaon police FIR from 2018, which accused Vadra of cheating in the land deal. On Wednesday, the agency attached 43 properties worth over ₹37 crore linked to Vadra and his firms, including Skylight Hospitality Pvt Ltd.