Robert Vadra, brother-in-law of Congress president Rahul Gandhi, on May 30 appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with a case of alleged money laundering in purchase of assets abroad, officials said.
Mr. Vadra was dropped by his wife and Congress leader Priyanka outside the ED’s office near India Gate in New Delhi at 10:30 a.m.
He was summoned to depose before the investigating officer of the case. His statement will be recorded under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
Taking to Twitter and Facebook, Mr. Vadra said this was the 11th time he was appearing before probe agencies in cases against him and had been subjected to 70 hours of questioning so far.
“I maintain my belief in the Indian judiciary. I have and will adhere to all summons/norms of government agencies. I have deposed 11 times with questioning of approximately 70 hours. In future also, I will cooperate, till my name is cleared of all false allegations and accusations,” Vadra said in his posts.
Cancellation of anticipatory bail
The ED recently sought the cancellation of the anticipatory bail given to Mr. Vadra and opposed his foreign travel. A local court on May 29 reserved for June 3 its order to allow Mr. Vadra to travel abroad.
The ED last week moved a court seeking the cancellation of the anticipatory bail given to Mr. Vadra in this case and the Delhi High Court had then issued notice to him seeking his response.
The ED had told the HC that it required Mr. Vadra’s custody as he was not cooperating in the investigation and and the trial court had not discussed the gravity of the offence in its order that gave relief to him.
The ED's case against Mr. Vadra relates to allegations of money laundering in the purchase of a London-based property located at 12, Bryanston Square worth 1.9 million GBP (British pounds). The ED had told a Delhi court that it has received information about various new properties in London that belong to him. These include two houses, one worth 5 million GBP and the other valued at 4 million GBP, six other flats and more properties.
Mr. Vadra has denied the allegations and termed them a political witch-hunt against him. He said he was being “hounded and harassed” to subserve political ends.
