Robert Vadra, businessman and husband of Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi, was grilled for nearly six hours by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday in connection with a money laundering case tied to a land deal in Haryana. Vadra has been asked to appear again today for further questioning. Vadra was earlier summoned on April 8 but skipped the appearance, prompting another summon from the ED on Tuesday.
What is the Haryana land deal case about?
The case revolves around a 2007 land deal in Gurugram involving Skylight Hospitality Pvt Ltd, where Vadra was a director. The company purchased 3.5 acres of land from Onkareshwar Properties for Rs 7.5 crore. In 2011, after securing permissions to develop the property, the land was sold to real estate giant DLF for Rs 58 crore.
The deal drew attention after IAS officer Ashok Khemka flagged irregularities, leading to BJP alleging corruption and claims that farmers’ land was unfairly acquired for Vadra’s gain.
Hours after receiving the notice, Vadra, 56, walked from his Sujan Singh Park residence to the ED headquarters on APJ Abdul Kalam Road, covering about 2 km, accompanied by supporters and speaking to the media en route.
What does Robert Vadra have to say in his defence?
Vadra has consistently denied wrongdoing, questioning why the case — flagged nearly two decades ago — remains unresolved. “I’m here for any kind of unjust pressure. I believe in the truth, and truth will prevail,” Vadra wrote in a Facebook post. He also said that nothing would stop him from “fulfilling people’s wishes”.
He further said that he doesn’t believe in the agencies anymore “because everyone in the country has realised that the ED and other agencies are being misused to put pressure on those who expose the government’s wrongdoings.” Vadra added that the government has been trying to create a divide between Hindus and Muslims of the country, and this was being done to distract people from the “real issues”.
Calling the allegations a “political vendetta”, Vadra on Tuesday that he was being targeted for speaking out against the government. “There is nothing in the case. It does not take 20 years to find something. I have been questioned over 15 times, submitted 23,000 documents, and yet they ask for the same again. How can this go on?” Vadra said.
He added he was fully cooperating and eager for a logical conclusion to the matter.
(With agency inputs)