A Delhi court has issued a notice to businessman Robert Vadra, husband of Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, in connection with a money laundering case related to a land deal in Shikohpur village in Gurugram, Haryana. The Rouse Avenue Court took cognizance of the charge sheet filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the high-profile money laundering case and issued notices to a total of 11 individuals, including Vadra. The next hearing in the matter is scheduled for August 28, 2025, when Vadra's arguments will be presented.
The case stems from a First Information Report (FIR) registered by the Gurugram Police in 2018, concerning the alleged fraudulent purchase of 3.53 acres of land in Shikohpur village, Sector 83, Gurugram. Vadra, through his entity M/s Sky Light Hospitality Pvt. Ltd., allegedly purchased the land from M/s Onkareshwar Properties Pvt. Ltd. for ₹7.5 crore on February 12, 2008, through a "false" declaration. The police claimed that the purchase was made through a "false" declaration.
The ED has labeled the case against Vadra as a "clear and classic case of money laundering". The agency alleges that proceeds from the crime were used to acquire properties. According to ED sources, Vadra obtained a commercial license on the land through his influence while the Congress government led by Bhupinder Singh Hooda was in power in Haryana. In September 2012, Sky Light Hospitality sold the land to DLF for ₹58 crore.
The ED's investigation alleges that there were false declarations in the sale deed, stating that ₹7.5 crore had been paid when no money was paid initially. The payment was allegedly made later to avoid stamp duty. The ED counsel also alleged that Skylight Hospitality, whose 99% shares are held by Vadra, purchased three acres of land worth crores. The agency argues that the money laundering offense involves generating, layering, and enjoying the proceeds of the crime.
Previously, the ED issued a Provisional Attachment Order on July 16, 2025, for 43 immovable properties worth ₹37.64 crore pertaining to Robert Vadra and his entities, including M/s Sky Light Hospitality Pvt. Ltd. Ashok Khemka, a whistleblower IAS officer, had cancelled the deal in 2012 when he was the Director General of Land Consolidation and Land Records-cum-Inspector-General of Registration of Haryana.
Vadra has consistently claimed innocence, dismissing the case as political vendetta against him and his family. He faces scrutiny in other money laundering cases, including one involving absconding arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari and a land deal in Bikaner, Rajasthan. These investigations concern land transactions made during previous Congress governments in Haryana and Rajasthan. Allegations suggest that Vadra received preferential treatment from the Haryana government, allowing land-use conversion from agricultural to commercial/residential for his properties, resulting in significant profits.
The Rouse Avenue Court has instructed the ED to provide copies of the charge sheet to all accused individuals. The charge sheet names three individuals and eight companies as accused parties.
