The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has once again summoned Robert Vadra, the businessman and husband of Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, for questioning in connection with a money laundering case. The summons, issued on Monday, requires Vadra to appear before the agency on Tuesday, June 17th. This development follows Vadra's absence from a previous summons on June 10th, which he reportedly skipped due to experiencing flu-like symptoms and undergoing a COVID-19 test.
The case in question is linked to UK-based arms consultant Sanjay Bhandari, who is currently under investigation for money laundering and violation of foreign exchange laws. Bhandari fled to London in 2016, shortly after the Income Tax Department raided his premises in Delhi. Indian authorities have been seeking his extradition, but a UK court recently denied an application to appeal his extradition to Britain's Supreme Court, making his return to India unlikely.
The ED's investigation revolves around Bhandari's acquisition of a property at 12, Bryanston Square in London in 2009. The agency alleges that this property was renovated under Vadra's directions and with funds provided by him. In a chargesheet filed in 2023, the ED claimed that Bhandari and Vadra were closely associated and that payments made by Bhandari ultimately benefited the businessman. Vadra has vehemently denied these allegations, asserting that he does not own any property in London, directly or indirectly. He has also dismissed the charges as a "political witch hunt," claiming he is being unfairly targeted.
According to sources, the ED is seeking to record Vadra's statement under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and potentially file a chargesheet in the case. The agency had previously questioned Vadra for three consecutive days in April regarding a separate money laundering case related to an alleged land deal in Haryana from 2008. Vadra is reportedly being investigated in three separate money laundering cases by the ED.
It remains uncertain whether Vadra will comply with the latest summons. Sources suggest that he may be traveling to the UK to attend his daughter's graduation, potentially making it difficult for him to appear on the scheduled date. His legal team has previously stated that he is willing to cooperate with the investigation and appear before the ED at any time before or after his planned trip abroad. If Vadra fails to appear, it is likely that the ED will issue fresh summons in the near future.
