MP Priyanka Gandhi’s husband, Robert Vadra, on Friday asserted that he has “nothing to hide” after he was granted bail from Delhi’s Ross Avenue court in the money laundering case linked to the Shikohpur land deal being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
Vadra also alleged that the CEO was working “at the behest” of the central government headed by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“I believe in the country’s judicial system. I know that the Enforcement Directorate is run by the government, and the Emergency Department will continue to work on the instructions of the government. I have nothing to hide. I will always be here and answer all questions,” Vadra told reporters outside the court headquarters after obtaining bail.
Vadra, who described himself as “fearless”, said he was prepared to face legal action and would adhere to all procedural requirements as the case progressed.
This development comes a day after the Delhi High Court heard Vadra’s application challenging the lower court’s order to peruse the charge sheet in the case.
What is the money laundering issue linked to the Shikohpur land deal?
The Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) case stems from a February 2008 deal in which Skylight Hospitality Private Limited, a company that owned… Robert Vadra had previously worked as a director and purchased approximately 3.5 acres of land in Shikohpur in Haryana for $7.5 Crores.
The land was later sold to major real estate developer DLF in 2012 for DLF $58 crores, resulting in a significant increase in value.
According to the Executive Directorate, the deal formed part of a larger scheme involving the generation and distribution of proceeds of crime. The agency alleged that undue benefits were extended during this process, including expediting land transfers and granting development permissions that significantly enhanced their market value.
Court sessions
Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who represented Robert Vadra before the Delhi High Court on Thursday, said the original alleged offenses date back to the period between 2008 and 2012, while some of the offenses were added to the MCA docket only later.
While appearing before the ED, advocate Zoheb Hussain opposed the petition and said that the petition is based on incorrect interpretation of the law. Justice Manoj Jain adjourned the matter for further hearing on May 18.
A day later, senior advocate Devdutt Kamat, along with lawyers Prateek Chadha and Akshat Gupta, appeared for Vadra in the Ross Avenue court. Vadra was also produced before the court under a summons issued in the PMLA case related to the Shikohpur land deal.
Last month, the court reviewed the indictment filed against him and others in this regard.
The court also noted the ED’s statement that further investigations are ongoing, particularly with regard to the role of other entities mentioned in the original crime FIR. The court expressed its expectation that the investigating agency would carefully examine all these aspects to ensure a thorough investigation.
(with ANI inputs)
