Today in Politics: ED summons Robert Vadra in PMLA case; Karnataka HC to hear Bengaluru stampede petition
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has issued a fresh summons to Robert Vadra, husband of Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi, for questioning in a money laundering case linked to UK-based arms consultant Sanjay Bhandari, official sources said on Monday. He has been asked to depose before the agency on Tuesday.
Vadra, 56, was called for questioning in the case on June 10 but he skipped, saying he had flu-like symptoms on June 9 and had undertaken a Covid-19 test as per protocol. His lawyer had then said that Vadra had no intention of avoiding summons and was ready to appear before the ED anytime before or after his travel abroad later this month.
The agency is understood to have summoned Vadra to record his statement under the PMLA and subsequently file a chargesheet in the case. The ED had questioned Vadra for three consecutive days in April in a separate money laundering case linked to alleged irregularities in a 2008 land deal in Haryana. He is being investigated in three money laundering cases by the ED.
Terming the charges a 'political witch hunt', Vadra said he was being 'hounded and harassed' to subserve political ends.
Stampede case in Karnataka HC
After receiving all relevant documents relating to the M Chinnaswamy Stadium stampede incident, and requesting English translations for the same documents, the Karnataka HC is set to hear the matter on Tuesday.
The stampede that occurred during the celebrations for Royal Challengers Bengaluru's (RCB) 2025 IPL victory on June 3, had claimed 11 lives and injured over 50 people, prompting the HC to take cognisance on June 5.
The court had issued a notice to the Karnataka government to investigate the cause and propose preventive measures.
Meanwhile, the state's Opposition BJP is continuing its protest demanding the resignation of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah and Deputy CM D K Shivakumar, alleging that they were responsible for the stampede. On Tuesday, the BJP will hold a protest at Bengaluru's Freedom Park.
V-P Dhankhar in Puducherry
Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar, who is in Puducherry for a three-day visit, is set to participate in events at the Central University on Tuesday. During his visit CM N Rangasamy submitted a memorandum to him seeking a 25% quota of seats in all the courses available in the Central University for the natives of the Union Territory.
When the demand was raised in 1990, the then Vice Chancellor of the University A Gnanam extended reservation of 25% of seats after due consideration with the University's Academic Council and the Executive committee extended the reservation in the courses available in the university in 1997. A reservation of 25% of seats was provided for eight courses in the beginning, which increased subsequently to 18 courses. The CM pointed out that, however, when more and more professional, prestigious and job oriented innovative courses were started in the university, the reservation was not extended.
(With PTI inputs)
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