ED questions Robert Vadra in money laundering case

“He is my husband, he is my family... I support my family,” says Priyanka Gandhi Vadra; Mr. Robert Vadra denies any link to properties in U.K. under the scanner.

Businessman Robert Vadra leaves after appearing before Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case, in New Delhi on February 6, 2019.

Robert Vadra, husband of Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, appeared before the Enforcement Directorate on Wednesday for recording his statement in connection with a money laundering probe into some properties located in the U.K.

Accompanied by Ms. Gandhi, Mr. Vadra reached the ED office around 3.45 p.m. and joined the investigation being conducted by an Assistant Director and supervised by a Deputy Director. 

The agency had prepared a list of more than 40 questions for him. He was quizzed for more than five hours. Mr. Vadra, while giving his statement, is learnt to have denied any link with the properties under investigation or association with anyone connected to them.

On February 2, Mr. Vadra approached a city court seeking anticipatory bail in the matter. His counsel submitted before the court that he was then out of the country for his mother’s treatment and would join the investigation on February 6. The court granted him protection till February 16.

 

Robert Vadra arrives at the ED office at Jamnagar House, in New Delhi in connection with a money laundering probe, on Wednesday.

The probe pertains to the allegations of money laundering in the acquisition of foreign assets, including a London property worth 1.9 million pounds that was allegedly bought by absconding arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari. The agency alleged that Mr. Vadra controlled the property. It was sold in 2010.

Mr. Vadra has denied the charges. In the bail plea, he said that he was being subjected to unwarranted, unjustified and malicious criminal prosecution which on the face of it is completely politically motivated and is being carried out for reasons other than those prescribed under law. Mr. Vadra has been called for questioning again on Thursday.

The Directorate had earlier recorded the statement of Manoj Arora, an employee in Mr. Vadra’s company, based on the purported findings of the Income-Tax Department. He has also got an interim protection till February 16.

The ED suspects that the properties in question are linked to a petroleum deal in 2009.