Robert Vadra skips ED summons again
New Delhi [India], June 17 (ANI): Businessman Robert Vadra, who was summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with a money laundering probe, is not appearing before the agency on Tuesday, according to sources close to him.
Businessman Robert Vadra, who was summoned by ED is not appearing before them today. According to Sources close to him, he is travelling abroad and will join the investigation after his return.
On June 12, Advocate Suman Jyoti Khaitan, counsel for businessman Robert Vadra addressed the media through a virtual press conference to clarify his client's absence from the Enforcement Directorate (ED) appearance in a money laundering case.
Khaitan, speaking via Zoom, said recent media reports wrongly implied that Vadra was evading ED summons.
'These reports are misleading. Vadra developed flu-like symptoms and was advised to undergo a COVID-19 test, which he has taken. He is following all necessary health precautions,' Khaitan stated.
Reaffirming Vadra's cooperation with the investigation, Khaitan said, 'He has willingly offered to join the probe through virtual mode and has previously submitted voluminous documentation to the ED.'
The lawyer further stated that Vadra's prior appearances, including a three-day questioning in April in a separate money laundering case linked to a 2008 Haryana land deal.
Vadra, the husband of Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, was summoned by the ED recently in connection with a case involving UK-based arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari. Sources said Vadra sought a deferment of the summons and will be given a new date for recording his statement under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
In 2023, the ED filed a chargesheet alleging that Bhandari purchased and renovated a property at 12, Bryanston Square, London, on Vadra's instructions and with his financial support--an allegation Vadra strongly denies. He has dismissed the case as a 'political witch hunt' aimed at 'harassing him for political reasons.'
The agency is also probing Vadra in another money laundering matter linked to land transactions in Bikaner, Rajasthan, where he and his mother have previously been questioned. (ANI)
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
14 minutes ago
- Time of India
Completely Impossible ..., say analysts on claims that Donald Trump's T1 smartphone will be made in America; add: Where are ...
The Trump Organization says that the entire device, which costs $499 is assembled in the US, but there is no information on when it will hit stores. Earlier this week, the Trump Organization, owned by the US President Donald Trump, announced the launch of the T1, a gold-colored smartphone priced at $499. The smartphone, which will run on Google's Android operating system, is being promoted as 'built in the United States.' However, industry experts have cast doubt on these claims, suggesting the phone is likely designed and manufactured by a Chinese company. The announcement comes as President Trump has intensified scrutiny on global smartphone supply chains, particularly targeting companies like Apple to move manufacturing to the U.S. amid threats of tariffs on imported devices. Francisco Jeronimo, vice president at International Data Corp. told CNBC that it is 'completely impossible' for the T1 to be fully designed and manufactured in the U.S. He and other analysts, including Blake Przesmicki of Counterpoint Research, believe the phone is likely produced by a Chinese original device manufacturer (ODM), which designs and builds products to the specifications of other companies. Jeff Fieldhack, research director at Counterpoint, added that the U.S. lacks readily available local manufacturing capabilities for smartphones. Experts also warn that the US-based smartphone production would be a costly and time-intensive endeavor, likely increasing prices significantly. How and where to get the components The T1's specifications further highlight its reliance on global supply chains. The device features a 6.8-inch AMOLED display, likely sourced from South Korean companies Samsung or LG, or Chinese manufacturer BOE. Its 50-megapixel camera is expected to use image sensors from Japan's Sony, a dominant player in the market. The phone's processor is likely to come from Taiwan's MediaTek or Qualcomm, with manufacturing based in Taiwan. While US-based Micron could supply memory components, other suppliers like Samsung may also be involved. 'Even with local manufacturing, the T1 will rely on imported components,' Fieldhack noted, underscoring the global nature of smartphone production.
Time of India
14 minutes ago
- Time of India
Modi to flag off diesel locomotive export to Guinea
Patna: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will flag off a consignment from the Marhaura Diesel Locomotive Factory in Saran during his visit to Siwan on June 20, marking the first export of diesel rail engines to an African country, said Manish Kumar, chief administrative officer (CAO) of Marhaura DLF, on Tuesday. He said a total of 143 locomotives are to be exported to the Republic of Guinea under a contract worth over Rs 3,000 crore awarded to Wabtec Locomotive Private Limited, a joint venture between Indian Railways and US-based Wabtec Corporation. The railways hold a 26% stake in the export. The Marhaura-built engines feature advanced AC propulsion, a microwave oven, and refrigerators for loco pilots. Meanwhile, preparations are in full swing at Jasoli village in Siwan for the PM's visit. Air-conditioned cottages with attached washrooms are being set up for VIPs. New traffic diversions will be in place from the morning of June 20 to manage the influx of visitors.
&w=3840&q=100)
Business Standard
18 minutes ago
- Business Standard
PE firm Blackstone acquires South City Mall in Kolkata for ₹3.2K cr
American private equity (PE) firm Blackstone has acquired South City Mall in Kolkata for a transaction value of ₹3,250 crore, marking the city's largest real estate deal to date. Spread over one million square feet, the mall features an array of brands from Zara to Tommy Hilfiger, Armani, Calvin Klein, Benetton, Adidas, Puma and Skechers, among others. It has an expansive food and beverage footprint with 10 restaurants. And, the 1,400-seater food court is touted to be the largest in the region. The mall generates an annual turnover of ₹1,800 crore. Asheesh Mohta, head of real estate acquisitions - India, Blackstone, said, South City Mall is a place where the community comes together – it's the definitive destination in Kolkata for shopping, dining, leisure, and entertainment. 'We are committed to continuing South City Group's wonderful work and positioning South City Mall for long-term success, benefiting from our scale, operational expertise, and deep experiences in the retail sector, particularly in India where we own one of the largest retail portfolios,' Mohta said in a statement. Anarock said that the transaction is the largest real estate deal in Kolkata and largest in the mall space in eastern India. It said, 'Kolkata's real estate market currently faces a supply constraint in Grade-A malls, with most leases happening on main streets.' Soumendu Chatterjee, regional director – land, Anarock Group, said, 'The mall has a very high footfall — daily visitors range between 55,000 and 60,000, surging to 75,000-200,000 during weekends and festival seasons.' Launched in 2008, the South City Mall was developed by six Kolkata business families — Emami Group, Merlin Group, Park Chambers Group, Shrachi Group, Jugal Kishore Khetawat, and Rajendra Kumar Bachhawat. Sushil Mohta, chairman of the Merlin Group and director of South City Projects Ltd, said that the transaction represents more than an acquisition – it's a vote of confidence in eastern India's retail ecosystem. Earlier, Blackstone — through Nexus Select Trust — the only retail real estate investment trust in India, acquired Citywalk mall in Delhi's Saket for ₹6,200 crore. This is the country's most expensive mall deal. In 2020, Blackstone acquired the mall business of Bengaluru-based Prestige Estates Projects for $1,237 million. As part of a combined transaction, Blackstone has also acquired unsold inventories in Sri Lankan residential project Altair from the South City Group, taking the total deal size to ₹3,400 crore. Prakash Bachawat, a key stakeholder in South City Projects, said the investment would undoubtedly accelerate the growth trajectory of both assets while maintaining their premium market positioning.
