Robert Vadra appears before ED for questioning in money laundering case

New Delhi, May 30 (HS): Robert Vadra, brother-in-law of Congress President Rahul Gandhi and husband of Priyanka Gandhi, today appeared before the Enforcement Directorate in connection with a money laundering case linked to purchase of alleged illegal assets abroad, said ED spokesperson, Subhendu Parhi.

Vadra was dropped by his wife Priyanka Gandhi outside the agency’s office at about 10:30 am. He was summoned to depose before the investigating officer for questioning in the case where his statement will be recorded under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). He has already appeared before the agency multiple times in the past in this case.

Meanwhile, the agency has also tried for cancellation of the anticipatory bail given to Vadra and has also opposed his foreign travel. A local court on May 29 had reserved for June 3. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) also last week moved a Delhi High court seeking cancellation of the anticipatory bail given to Vadra in this case and the Court had then issued notice to him seeking his response. The ED had alleged in Delhi HC that he was not cooperating in the investigation and so it required custodial interrogation of Vadra.

The ED case against Vadra is related to so called money laundering in the purchase of a London-based property located at 12, Bryanston Square worth 1.9 million GBP (British pounds), allegedly owned by him. The agency hadalso told a Delhi court that it has received information about various new properties located in London belonging to Vadra. These are two houses, one worth 5 million GBP and the other valued at 4 million GBP, six other flats and more properties. On the contrary Vadra has denied the charge of possessing illegal foreign assets and termed them a political vendetta by the government.