Robert Vadra to Face Continued ED Inquiry in Haryana Land Deal
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Synopsis
Businessman Robert Vadra is set to reappear before the Enforcement Directorate today for questioning in connection with a money laundering case tied to a land deal in Shikohpur, Haryana. This follows two previous days of interrogation as new information has emerged in the investigation.
Key Takeaways
- Robert Vadra is being questioned by the ED for a land deal in Shikohpur.
- This marks the third consecutive day of questioning.
- Vadra has denied any wrongdoing, calling the investigation a political vendetta.
- The case involves a transaction from 2008 valued at Rs 7.5 crore.
- ED suspects money laundering linked to the land sale profits.
New Delhi, April 17 (NationPress) Businessman Robert Vadra, spouse of Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, is set to appear again before the Enforcement Directorate today regarding a money laundering investigation tied to a land transaction in Shikohpur, Haryana. This marks the third consecutive day of questioning for Vadra, who previously underwent about six hours of interrogation on Tuesday and is expected to attend the probe at 11 a.m.
Initially summoned on April 8, he did not make an appearance, leading to a second summons for Tuesday. Recent discoveries in the investigation into the 2008 land deal have prompted the agency to confront Vadra with these new details, according to sources.
His testimony is being documented under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
As the brother-in-law of Rahul Gandhi, Vadra has denied any misconduct, labeling the inquiry a “political vendetta”.
On Wednesday, he arrived at the ED office around 11 a.m., accompanied by his wife, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who serves as the Congress MP from Kerala's Wayanad. They shared an embrace before Vadra entered the office, while Priyanka remained in the visitor area of the agency's facility, 'Pravartan Bhawan', located on APJ Abdul Kalam Road throughout the questioning.
Sources indicate that Vadra faced approximately a dozen inquiries during the 10 hours spent at the ED office over the past two days.
On Wednesday, he accused the government of hindering him from “doing good work and speaking out against their unjust treatment of minorities”.
Vadra maintains his innocence, asserting that 'truth will prevail.' He expressed in a Facebook post that his plans for community service during his birthday week had been disrupted by the ED's summons.
“My Birthday Week Seva has been paused for a few days. Plans I have made for feeding the elderly and gifts for all the children in different areas will resume as soon as I overcome the “Government’s attempts to obstruct me”, from doing good and addressing their unjust behavior towards minorities, or if there are even discussions regarding my potential political involvement,” Vadra stated.
He emphasized that nothing would prevent him from fulfilling community needs. “I stand against any form of unjust pressure. I believe in the truth, and the truth will ultimately prevail,” he remarked in his post.
The investigation centers on a land acquisition made in February 2008 for Rs 7.5 crore by Vadra's Skylight Hospitality in Shikohpur, located in Gurugram district, Haryana. The mutation process, which typically spans several months, was completed the following day. Months later, he obtained permission to develop a housing society on the property, significantly increasing its value. He sold the land to DLF in June for Rs 58 crore.
Suspecting the proceeds to be linked to a money laundering operation, the ED is investigating the origins of these substantial profits. The transactions occurred while the Congress party was in power in the state, with Bhupinder Singh Hooda serving as chief minister.
