Probe Vadra, dares Sonia

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, May 31

With reports emanating from enforcement agencies indicating that investigations were on to determine if controversial arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari had bought a “benami” mansion in London for Robert Vadra in 2009, an agitated AICC president Sonia Gandhi today called it yet another conspiracy by the Centre aimed at a  “Congress-mukt” India. 

Openly defending her son-in-law, Gandhi said, “This is a conspiracy aimed at achieving ‘Congress-mukt Bharat'. What is the meaning of Congress-free India? Everyday they make new excuses and level false charges. There should be a fair and impartial probe. Let the truth come out.”

Editorial: A House for Mr Vadra

The ruling BJP shot back claiming that Gandhi’s defence of her son-in-law had exposed the “farce” that he was merely a private citizen.

Vadra's lawyers stoutly denied the charges. “Vadra and his assistant Manoj Arora have not entered into any transaction of a financial nature with Sanjay Bhandari and are not even aware that Bhandari is involved in any defence transaction,” they said.

(Follow The Tribune on Facebook; and Twitter@thetribunechd)

Enforcement agencies say the investigation is based on two reports of a preliminary inquiry containing email details allegedly sent by Vadra and his executive assistant Manoj Arora. These reports carry details of the questioning of the controversial arms dealer, the sources say.

According to a TV report, enforcement agencies raided 18 premises owned by Bhandari last month. Two preliminary reports prepared after the raid claimed that Vadra and his executive assistant had sent several emails discussing payments and renovations for a London home (12 Ellerton House, Bryanston Square) bought for GBP 19 lakh (Rs 19 crore) in October 2009 and sold in June 2010. 

The emails were sent to Sumit Chadda, a relative of Bhandari based in London, claimed the TV report.

Bhandari, when specifically questioned whether Vadra was the beneficiary of the sale of the Bryanston Square property in London, evaded a direct reply, saying he would be able to confirm it only after going through the sale deed which was with his lawyer in London.” 

The sources said the emails exchanged referred to redecorating the property, including the chandeliers.

Congress spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla today wrote to the CBI and the Enforcement Directorate, demanding a probe into the alleged links between BJP leader Siddharth Nath Singh and Bhandari. 

Unfazed,  Siddharth Singh said he had no dealings with Bhandari “except  knowing him socially” and was ready to face a probe.

Shrikant Sharma, BJP national secretary, said, “ The Congress chief’s comments has exposed the farce that Vadra is merely a private person. It has established that he is the Gandhi family and that Gandhi family is him.” BJP Member of Parliament Kirit Somaiya said the ties between Vadra and Bhandari were “nothing but suspicious”.