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

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

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

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.

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.

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 at 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 agency alleged that Vadra gave "evasive" replies during his questioning and he put "all the onus on three deceased persons (his associates) named late HL Pahwa, late Rajesh Khurana and late Mahesh Nagar for acting on behalf of him".

"However, no documentary evidences were provided by him to substantiate his claim," the ED said.