‘Middleman’ in Bikaner deal seeks more time from ED

He is required to record his statement in the money laundering probe.

The “middleman” who allegedly facilitated Bikaner land purchase by Skylight Hospitality, a company associated with Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s son-in-law Robert Vadra, has asked the Enforcement Directorate for more time to make a personal appearance.

The ED had served multiple notices on Mahesh Nagar, a resident of Faridabad in Haryana, asking him to record his statement in connection with the money laundering investigations into the alleged fraudulent acquisition and sale of the land in 2010.

Mr. Nagar is learnt to have pleaded that he is not keeping well.

Notices to company

The agency has already issued three notices to Skylight Hospitality, asking for documents pertaining to the sale and purchase of the land. The company has informed the Directorate that it was collating the required documents.

The ED issued its first summons to Skylight Hospitality seeking the papers in June. A lawyer then appeared before the agency, but he could not produce an authorisation letter from the company.

Fresh summons were issued after the ED found out that the private limited company was converted into a limited liability partnership (LLP) firm in May.

Land-grab cases

Money laundering investigations were launched in connection with 18 “land-grab” cases registered by the Rajasthan police following allegations that some locals had acquired land parcels by falsifying revenue records and impersonating original allottees.

The “grabbed” land was then sold to seven companies, including Skylight Hospitality. The police filed multiple charge sheets against the accused persons. Based on the police findings, the State government cancelled the original allotments.

Skylight Hospitality, in a statement to the media, recently said it had instituted civil suits for recovery and damages.