New Delhi, Aug 9 (NationPress) In a controversial land transaction in Gurugram, Robert Vadra, husband of Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, allegedly received Rs 58 crore as proceeds from crime, as reported by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in a money laundering case presented to a Special Court.

The ED's chargesheet reveals that Rs 53 crore was funneled through Sky Ligh Hospitality, while an additional Rs 5 crore came from Blue Breeze Trading.

The Special PMLA court in Delhi has scheduled a hearing on August 28 to acknowledge the ED's complaint and has sent a notice to Vadra.

The federal agency stated in its prosecution complaint, "These funds, originating from a scheduled offence, were reportedly used by Vadra to purchase immovable properties, make investments, provide loans, and settle debts for various companies within his group."

The ED's investigation has led to the provisional attachment of 43 immovable properties, valued at Rs 38.69 crore, identified as either direct proceeds or equivalent to Proceeds of Crime.

In its pursuit of penalties under Section 4 of PMLA, which carries a maximum prison sentence of seven years and property confiscation, the ED identified properties considered direct proceeds of crime, including 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.

Additionally, under the category of Value Equivalent Proceeds of Crime, the ED pointed out various agricultural lands in Amipur, Faridabad, plots in Mayfield Garden, Gurugram, and commercial units in several locations including Centrum Plaza, Gurugram and India Expo Mart, Noida.

The ED noted that these properties are owned by Robert Vadra, M/s Artex (Proprietor Robert Vadra), M/s Sky Light Reality Pvt. Ltd., or M/s Real Earth Estates LLP, with the total value of attached properties amounting to Rs 38.69 crore.

The agency has invoked multiple sections of the PMLA, 2002, including Section 23 (Presumption in interconnected transactions), Section 24 (Burden of proof), Section 44 (Offences triable by Special Courts), and Section 45 (Offences to be cognizable and non-bailable), in addition to Section 3 (Offence of Money Laundering).

Allegations suggest that Vadra's company, Skylight Hospitality Private Limited, purchased 3.5 acres of land in Shikohpur, Gurugram from Omkareshwar Properties Private Limited for Rs 7.50 crore, despite having minimal capital.

The ED claims that incorrect information was included in the sale deed, stating that the payment was made via cheque, which was allegedly never cashed.

The land's value was understated in the sale deed, showing only Rs 7.50 crore rather than its actual worth of Rs 15 crore, according to the ED.

The agency asserts that this misrepresentation caused a stamp duty evasion of Rs 45 lakh, constituting an offence under Section 423 of the IPC.

The ED further alleges that this transaction involved bribery, wherein Omkareshwar Properties transferred the land to Vadra’s Skylight Hospitality without an actual payment, in exchange for Vadra's influence over then Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda to assist Omkareshwar Properties in acquiring a license for a housing scheme in the same village.