A pivotal moment arrives in the Enforcement Directorate’s money laundering probe into Robert Vadra’s alleged fraudulent purchase of land in Gurugram. Tomorrow, Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court will deliberate on taking cognizance of the ED’s detailed chargesheet targeting Vadra and associates.
At the heart of the controversy is a 2008 transaction where Vadra’s Skylight Hospitality shelled out Rs 7.5 crore for 3.5 acres in Shikohpur village from Onkareshwar Properties. The ED paints a picture of deception: no real money changed hands, bogus cheque mentions in documents, and a suspiciously low valuation to dodge stamp duty taxes.
Vadra, connected through marriage to the Gandhi family, is accused of channeling crime proceeds through his network of companies. The federal agency has frozen 43 properties valued at over Rs 38 crore, deeming them direct fruits of the illegal deal, with total proceeds pegged at Rs 58 crore.
The court’s special judge, adhering to BNSS protocols, summoned Vadra and co-accused for a fair hearing before any formal charges. This follows a turbulent history: IAS officer Ashok Khemka’s 2012 cancellation, a subsequent clean chit from a state panel, and renewed scrutiny post-BJP’s Haryana takeover with an FIR.
Prosecutors are pushing for stringent PMLA penalties, including up to seven years in jail and asset forfeiture. Stakeholders from political circles to real estate giants are glued to developments, as this case underscores persistent questions about transparency in high-stake property dealings involving influential figures.
With layers of alleged fraud unraveled through meticulous investigation, the outcome of Saturday’s proceedings could either bolster the ED’s case or provide Vadra a chance to mount a robust defense, keeping the spotlight firmly on this enduring controversy.