Robert Vadra Appears Before ED in Haryana Land Deal Case, Alleges “Political Vendetta”
New Delhi: Robert Vadra, businessman and husband of Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday for questioning in a money laundering case linked to a controversial land deal in Shikohpur, Haryana.
Key Details of the Case
- Vadra, 56, was summoned earlier on April 8 but did not appear, prompting a second summons.
- The ED seeks to confront him with new evidence and record his statement under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
- Vadra expressed hope for a resolution, stating, “Nobody is evading anything. I am here today… expecting a conclusion.”
Vadra’s Allegations of Political Targeting
Outside the ED office, Vadra accused the BJP-led government of “political vendetta”, claiming:
- “When I speak in favour of the country, I am stopped. Rahul Gandhi is stopped from speaking in Parliament. This is BJP’s doing.”
- He suggested that his political aspirations were being stifled: “People want me to join politics, but old cases are dug up to divert from real issues.”
- Before entering the ED office, he asserted, “They are misusing agencies… I have nothing to hide and will answer all questions.”
Background of the Land Deal Controversy
- 2018 FIR: Registered against former Haryana CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Vadra, and real estate firms DLF and Onkareshwar Properties for alleged criminal conspiracy, cheating, and corruption. All parties deny wrongdoing.
- 2008 Deal: Vadra’s firm, Skylight Hospitality, bought 3.5 acres in Gurgaon for ₹7.5 crore. The land’s mutation was unusually fast-tracked (within 24 hours vs. the typical 3-month process).
- Sudden Value Surge: A month later, the Hooda government approved housing development on the land, spiking its value. By June 2008, DLF agreed to buy it for ₹58 crore—a 700% profit in months.
Why This Matters
The case resurfaces amid heightened political tensions, with Vadra and Congress framing it as BJP’s misuse of agencies to target opposition figures. The ED’s findings could influence public perception ahead of elections.
