Robert Vadra gave evasive replies, put onus on deceased associates: ED chargesheet in Gurugram land deal case

Robert Vadra

The Enforcement Directorate on Monday mentioned in its chargesheet that Robert Vadra, the businessman husband of Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, gave "evasive" replies during questioning in a 2008 "fraudulent" land deal in Shikohpur village of Haryana's Gurugram, and put the "entire onus" on his three deceased associates.

The ED also alleged that in the alleged money laundering linked real estate transaction, Robert Vadra exerted "undue influence" on Haryana government officials through former chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda.

Special Judge (PC Act) at Rouse Avenue Courts, Sushant Changotra, on August 2 issued a notice to all 11 accused named in the ED chargesheet before taking cognisance of the prosecution complaint and has listed the matter for August 28. The judge also directed that a copy of the chargesheet be shared with the accused.

The 332-page chargesheet mentioning these charges was filed by the federal probe agency on July 17 before a special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court in Delhi. Vadra, 56, received Rs 58 crore as "proceeds of crime" in the land deal, the ED alleged.

Vadra has been named as accused number 1, apart from seven companies linked to him and two directors of SGY Properties (formerly Omkareshwar Properties) named Satyanand Yajee and Kewal Singh Virk.

There was no immediate comment from Vadra's legal team on the allegations made by the ED against the businessman.

The case pertains to Vadra's company Skylight Hospitality (SLHPL) purchasing a 3.5 acre land in Shikohpur village in Sector 83 of Gurugram from Omkareshwar Properties (OPPL) at a price of Rs 7.5 crore in 2008.

The ED took cognisance of a September 2018 FIR of the Gurugram police to file a money laundering case in December that year.

The police FIR claimed the land deal was a "bribe" to Vadra's company (SLHPL) so that he could help OPPL in getting housing licence in the same village from the then CM Hooda, who was also minister of town and country planning, by his personal influence as he (Vadra) was the son-in-law of the then Congress president Sonia Gandhi.

(With PTI inputs)