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Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Robert Vadra received Rs 58 crore as proceeds of crime in Haryana land deal: ED Charge sheet
Live Events (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has alleged that Robert Vadra , husband of Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra , received ₹58 crore as "proceeds of crime" in the Shikohpur, Haryana land deal case. The federal agency last week filed its prosecution complaint (equivalent of a charge sheet) against 11 individuals and entities, including Vadra under relevant provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) for their alleged involvement in the Shikohpur case. This is ED's first charge sheet against agency, in its prosecution complaint, has alleged that Vadra received ₹58 crore of proceeds of crime via two channels, people in the know told ET. The agency has claimed that ₹53 crore was routed through M/s Sky Light Hospitality Private Limited (Vadra's firm). Another ₹5 crore was allegedly routed through M/s Blue Breeze Trading Private Limited (BBTPL), ED has has further submitted in its prosecution complaint that these proceeds of crime were allegedly utilised by Vadra to acquire immovable properties, make investments, advance funds/loans, and settle liabilities of his various group companies. The agency has further alleged that its probe has uncovered "significant irregularities" in the commercial licence granted to Vadra's company M/s Sky Light Hospitality Pvt Ltd. (SLHPL).ED has claimed that despite the application stating 3.53 acres, only 1.35 acres were available for commercial licensing, below the 2-acre minimum. Nevertheless, Directorate of Town and Country Planning (DTCP) officials in Chandigarh proceeded with the application by including land designated for a sector road, people in the know part of its investigation, ED has recorded statements from DTCP officials, who in their testimonies have told the agency that pressure was exerted from higher authorities to accelerate the process. "The file also showed backdating and alterations to the sector road plan to help M/s SLHPL qualify for the license," people quoted above regard to the alleged offence pertaining to evasion of alleged stamp duty, ED has highlighted that the sale deed for the Shikohpur land transaction contained a false statement regarding the payment, stating it was received via cheque when it was it has invoked Section 70 of the PMLA, 2002, which pertains to offences by companies. Vadra has repeatedly denied the allegations against Wednesday, the agency also provisionally attached 43 immovable properties amounting to ₹37.64 crore linked to Vadra and his entities, i.e, M/s SLHPL & case dates to 2018 when an FIR was registered against Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Haryana chief minister from 2005 to 2014, as well as against Vadra and real estate companies DLF and Onkareshwar Properties on charges of alleged criminal conspiracy, cheating, fraud and forgery under the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
Chargesheet against Vadra a bid to tarnish Gandhi family: Kharge
Bengaluru: Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge Saturday alleged that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) chargesheet against businessman Robert Vadra was part of a politically motivated attempt to malign the Gandhi family and the party. The ED had Thursday filed a chargesheet against Vadra, husband of Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, in a money laundering case linked to alleged irregularities in a land deal at Shikohpur in Haryana. "What has been done to Vadra, is to take revenge on a person and to target a party. It is done as part of an attempt to bring a bad name to the Vadra and Gandhi family. They will never be successful in it. There are courts," Kharge told reporters in Bengaluru. "The trouble that is being given to Vadra is not right. We all support his good work." You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru Asked about the BJP accusing the Congress of supporting land jihad, Kharge said: "I don't know what land jihad is. If they want to take any action against me, let them do it. Whenever they take action, I will respond to it." Later in the day, Kharge addressed a convention in Mysuru, where development projects worth over Rs 2,500 crore were inaugurated and foundation stones laid. Using the platform to target Prime Minister Modi, Kharge said the former has visited 42 countries but failed to visit conflict-hit Manipur. "BJP and RSS are talking about amending or rewriting the Constitution. You may try how much ever you want, the people of this country will not allow you to change the Constitution. If you (people) allow them to change the Constitution, you will not have any rights," he added.
United News of India
5 days ago
- Politics
- United News of India
BJP accuses Gandhi family of misusing constitutional post to defend family interests
New Delhi, July 19 (UNI) The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) today criticised Gandhi family for using political clout to shield each other from corruption charges. Addressing a press conference here, BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi said, 'The first family of the Congress, which has a history of corruption allegations, consistently closes ranks to shield each other. Whether in Lok Sabha or Rajya Sabha, or through land ownership by Robert Vadra, their approach has been to safeguard personal interests, often at the cost of national unity.' The BJP leader launched a scathing attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for his remarks on the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) charge sheet against businessman Robert Vadra, alleging that the Leader of the Opposition was misusing his constitutional position to protect familial interests. The BJP spokesperson also questioned Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's comments on the arrest of former Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel's son, Chaitanya Baghel, in connection with a money laundering case. He sarcastically said, 'This pattern is clear — every time someone close to them faces charges, the Gandhis rally not for justice, but for cover-up.' 'Rahul Gandhi is in the Lok Sabha, Sonia Gandhi in the Rajya Sabha, Priyanka in public campaigns, and Robert Vadra holding vast land assets — this isn't a political party, it's a tightly-run family firm,' he reiterated. The BJP leader accused the Congress of seeking to hold onto influence even outside of power, allegedly using caste, region, and language divisions to maintain political relevance. 'If these matters are truly personal and familial, why drag them into politics?' Trivedi questioned. Responding to Congress attacks over Donald Trump's controversial remark about planes being shot down during the India-Pakistan conflict, Trivedi said the opposition routinely ignores India's global achievements. 'While India gets international recognition, such as the TRF terror outfit being designated globally, the Congress looks only for shadows in daylight. Ironically, those who travel abroad most frequently, understand foreign policy the least,' he said. Rahul Gandhi, on Friday, had termed the ED's action against Vadra as part of a 'politically motivated witch hunt' orchestrated by the BJP-led Union government. 'We will face this persecution with dignity. The truth will prevail,' Gandhi said in a post on social media. The Enforcement Directorate on Thursday filed its first charge sheet in a land deal case involving 3.53 acres in Shikohpur, Gurugram, allegedly acquired by Vadra in 2008 through questionable financial transactions. The ED has attached 43 properties worth Rs 37.64 crore linked to Vadra and entities associated with him. Vadra, who was questioned thrice by the agency in April, has dismissed the allegations, describing the charge sheet as 'an extension of the political witch hunt'. UNI AJ GNK
Hindustan Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
BJP slams Rahul Gandhi for defending Vadra, Priyanka over Baghel's son's arrest
New Delhi: The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) on Saturday hit back at Congress MP Rahul Gandhi for his remarks on the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) charge sheet against Robert Vadra, accusing Gandhi of misusing his constitutional post to defend family interests. The BJP also criticised Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra for defending former Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel's son, Chaitanya Baghel, over his arrest in a liquor policy-linked money laundering case. BJP leader Sudhanshu Trivedi. (File Photo) 'The first family of the corruption-ridden Congress always bands together to cover up each other's misconduct. Brother in Lok Sabha, mother in Rajya Sabha, sister in Lok Sabha and all the land holdings with brother-in-law Robert means, whether they have the political holdings or not, they ensured land ownership by grabbing farmers' land. For this, they divide the country along linguistic, regional and caste lines,' BJP MP Sudhanshu Trivedi said during a media briefing in Delhi. Trivedi questioned Rahul Gandhi's response, asking whether Gandhi made his statement as an individual or as a person holding a constitutional post. 'What Rahul Gandhi had posted, did he do it as an individual or as a leader of Opposition, or did he misuse the constitutional post to defend family interests?' Congress is yet to respond to the BJP's remarks. On Friday, Rahul Gandhi accused the BJP-led government of pursuing a 'politically motivated witch hunt' against Vadra after ED filed its first charge sheet in the Gurugram land deal case. Gandhi said his family would face the persecution with dignity and that 'the truth will prevail.' The ED's charge sheet pertains to a 3.53-acre land deal in Shikohpur, Gurugram, allegedly bought in 2008 using dubious financial arrangements. The federal agency attached 43 properties worth ₹37.64 crore belonging to Vadra and his companies. Vadra had been questioned three times by ED in April 2025. His office dismissed the charge sheet as 'an extension of the political witch hunt,' adding that Vadra would contest the case in court. Meanwhile, Priyanka Gandhi condemned the arrest of Chaitanya Baghel, alleging it was an attempt to silence former CM Bhupesh Baghel on key environmental issues in the state assembly. 'The BJP government handed over Chhattisgarh's forests to Adani ji, violating the PESA Act and NGT orders. Bhupesh Baghel ji was going to raise this in the assembly, so they arrested his son early in the morning,' Priyanka posted on X. Chaitanya Baghel was arrested by ED under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) following early morning raids at his residence in Bhilai, Durg district. He was remanded in ED custody till July 22 by a special PMLA court. According to the ED's remand application, Chaitanya allegedly received ₹16.70 crore in proceeds of crime through two linked firms, including ₹5 crore via M/s Saheli Jewellers. ED noted ₹4.5 crore remains unpaid and interest-free, terming the transactions a suspected front for laundering illicit cash.
New Indian Express
5 days ago
- Business
- New Indian Express
Court begins scrutiny into ED chargesheet against Vadra in land deal case
NEW DELHI: A Delhi court on Friday initiated proceedings in a money laundering case against businessman Robert Vadra and others, stemming from a controversial land deal in Gurugram. The matter, which was brought before Special Judge Sushant Changotra of the Rouse Avenue Court, involves a prosecution complaint recently filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). During the hearing, the court directed the record keeper (Ahalmad) to examine the voluminous charge sheet and related documents and submit a verification report. The case has now been listed for further consideration on July 24. The ED, represented by Special Public Prosecutor NK Matta, requested a short date for the court to take up the matter formally. The complaint, filed on July 17, names a total of 11 accused, both individuals and corporate entities, including Vadra, his company Sky Light Hospitality Pvt Ltd, Onkareshwar Properties Pvt Ltd, Satyanand Yajee, and Kewal Singh Virk. The genesis of the case lies in an FIR lodged by Gurugram Police, which alleged that Vadra's firm Sky Light Hospitality acquired a 3.53-acre land parcel in Shikohpur, Sector 83, Gurugram, from Onkareshwar Properties on February 12, 2008. The FIR accused the parties of executing the transaction through fraudulent means, including false declarations, and leveraging Vadra's personal clout to secure commercial licensing for the property. The ED, investigating the case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), claims the land deal was a classic case of proceeds of crime being laundered through real estate investments. As part of the probe, the agency on July 16 issued a Provisional Attachment Order, seizing 43 immovable assets with an estimated value of Rs 37.64 crore. These properties, the ED alleges, are linked to Vadra and the other accused, particularly via the business operations of Sky Light Hospitality.
