ED raids in Delhi, Bengaluru on 3 people linked to Vadra
TNN | Dec 8, 2018, 01:18 ISTHighlights
- The ED refused to divulge details of the raids, carried out at six premises in Delhi-NCR and Bengaluru in connection with the alleged commission received in defence deals during the UPA period
- Vadra called the ED action a “political witch-hunt” and claimed the agencies had an “agenda” to tarnish his reputation
NEW DELHI: The Enforcement Directorate conducted raids on Friday on close associates of Robert Vadra, son-in-law of former Congress president Sonia Gandhi, drawing protests from Congress, which accused the government of political vendetta.
The ED refused to divulge details of the raids, carried out at six premises in Delhi-NCR and Bengaluru. The raids were linked to an investigation into alleged commission received in defence deals during the UPA period and the subsequent investment of the kickbacks in properties overseas.
The raids focused on two employees and a close associate of Vadra, with officials seizing documents and recording statements of people concerned, sources said.
Vadra called the ED action a “political witch-hunt” and claimed the agencies had an “agenda” to tarnish his reputation.
Reacting to the raids, Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said, “Sure-shot defeat in five states unnerves the Modi government to again use the old tools to unleash revenge and vendetta against Robert Vadra to divert the narrative.”
In 2016, searches conducted by the I-T department on defence dealer Sanjay Bhandari and his associates had turned up documents related to defence deals. The probe, I-T sources claimed, also led the department to emails exchanged between one of Vadra’s associates and his secretary where the cost of refurbishing a flat in London was discussed.
Vadra and his lawyers had denied any such connection with Bhandari who soon fled the country.
In February last year, the I-T department had restrained Bhandari from disposing of properties in London and elsewhere by serving provisional attachment orders. The department had also attached half-a-dozen properties in Delhi and Gurgaon.
Vadra is already under investigation by the ED in a money-laundering case related to “fraudulent” land deals in Bikaner. He has been issued a third summons to appear before the investigating officer after he refused to honour two previous notices and sent his representatives.
Sources in the agency said Vadra was wilfully avoiding summonses where his personal appearance was necessary to record his statement in connection with evidence gathered against his Sky Light Hospitality Pvt Ltd over the last three years. Under the PMLA, the ED has the power to seek custodial interrogation of an accused who is wilfully avoiding joining investigation, a senior official said.
The ED refused to divulge details of the raids, carried out at six premises in Delhi-NCR and Bengaluru. The raids were linked to an investigation into alleged commission received in defence deals during the UPA period and the subsequent investment of the kickbacks in properties overseas.
The raids focused on two employees and a close associate of Vadra, with officials seizing documents and recording statements of people concerned, sources said.
Vadra called the ED action a “political witch-hunt” and claimed the agencies had an “agenda” to tarnish his reputation.
Reacting to the raids, Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala said, “Sure-shot defeat in five states unnerves the Modi government to again use the old tools to unleash revenge and vendetta against Robert Vadra to divert the narrative.”
In 2016, searches conducted by the I-T department on defence dealer Sanjay Bhandari and his associates had turned up documents related to defence deals. The probe, I-T sources claimed, also led the department to emails exchanged between one of Vadra’s associates and his secretary where the cost of refurbishing a flat in London was discussed.
Vadra and his lawyers had denied any such connection with Bhandari who soon fled the country.
In February last year, the I-T department had restrained Bhandari from disposing of properties in London and elsewhere by serving provisional attachment orders. The department had also attached half-a-dozen properties in Delhi and Gurgaon.
Vadra is already under investigation by the ED in a money-laundering case related to “fraudulent” land deals in Bikaner. He has been issued a third summons to appear before the investigating officer after he refused to honour two previous notices and sent his representatives.
Sources in the agency said Vadra was wilfully avoiding summonses where his personal appearance was necessary to record his statement in connection with evidence gathered against his Sky Light Hospitality Pvt Ltd over the last three years. Under the PMLA, the ED has the power to seek custodial interrogation of an accused who is wilfully avoiding joining investigation, a senior official said.
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