Has the ED Filed a Chargesheet Against Robert Vadra in a Money Laundering Case?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Chargesheet filed against Robert Vadra by ED.
- Case linked to Sanjay Bhandari, a fugitive.
- ED claims Vadra is involved in overseas financial transactions.
- Properties worth Rs 38.69 crore attached.
- Allegations stem from 2016 tax raids.
New Delhi, Nov 20 (NationPress) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has lodged a chargesheet against businessman Robert Vadra, who is the son-in-law of former Congress President Sonia Gandhi, in relation to a money laundering case involving UK-based defense dealer Sanjay Bhandari.
The prosecution complaint has been filed with the Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Officials indicated that Vadra's statement under PMLA was taken in July this year.
The federal anti-money laundering agency has claimed that Vadra is linked to overseas financial transactions and properties associated with Bhandari, who faces charges for holding undisclosed assets abroad.
Bhandari, who left India in 2016, has been declared a fugitive economic offender by a Delhi court.
The ED's investigation originates from a series of income-tax raids on Bhandari conducted in 2016, which reportedly revealed emails and documents highlighting his connections with Vadra and his associates.
Previously, the ED has attached several properties in India believed to be linked to Vadra or his associated entities, asserting they represent proceeds of crime from Bhandari’s offshore operations.
In a related development, the ED informed a Special Court that Vadra allegedly received Rs 58 crore as proceeds of crime from a disputed land transaction in Gurugram.
Of this amount, Rs 53 crore was funneled through Sky Light Hospitality, and another Rs 5 crore through Blue Breeze Trading.
The ED stated that these funds were purportedly used by Vadra to acquire real estate, invest, grant loans, and settle debts of his business entities.
As part of its investigation, the Central agency has provisionally attached 43 immovable properties valued at Rs 38.69 crore, identified as either direct or equivalent to proceeds of crime.
Properties listed by the agency encompass land in Bikaner, Rajasthan; units in Good Earth City Centre, Gurugram; units in Bestech Business Tower, Mohali; and residential units in Jay Ambe Township, Ahmedabad.