Haryana land deal case: ED continues questioning Robert Vadra for 3rd day
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Robert Vadra leaves the ED office after second day of questioning in 2008 Haryana land deal case, in New Delhi on April 16, 2025. | PTI Photo
New Delhi: Businessman Robert Vadra, the husband of Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, will once again join the Enforcement Directorate (ED) investigation on Thursday in connection with a money laundering case linked to a land deal in Shikohpur, Haryana. This will mark his third consecutive day of questioning by the ED. Vadra had previously been questioned for about six hours on Tuesday and has been asked to appear again at 11 a.m. on Thursday.
The ED had originally summoned him on April 8, but Vadra failed to attend. A second summons was issued, leading to his appearance this week after new developments emerged during the investigation into the 2008 land deal. Sources indicated that Vadra will be confronted with these new facts during the questioning.
Vadra’s statement is being recorded under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). He has consistently denied any wrongdoing, dismissing the investigation as politically motivated and an act of “political vendetta.”
On Wednesday, Vadra arrived at the ED office around 11 a.m., accompanied by his wife Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, the Congress MP from Wayanad. The couple shared a brief hug before Vadra entered the office, while Priyanka Gandhi stayed in the visitors' room throughout the questioning. According to sources, Vadra was asked about a dozen questions during the 10 hours he spent at the ED office over the past two days.
Vadra, who is also the brother-in-law of Rahul Gandhi, used the occasion to accuse the government of attempting to hinder his efforts in doing "good work" and speaking out against its "unjust behavior towards minorities." In a Facebook post, he expressed frustration over the timing of the ED’s summons, stating that it interrupted his planned birthday week service activities. Vadra had intended to feed the elderly and distribute gifts to children in various areas, but these plans were disrupted by the summons.
Despite the pressures, Vadra remained defiant, stating that the government’s actions would not stop him from fulfilling his charitable endeavors. He reiterated his belief that “truth will prevail.”
The case revolves around a land deal from February 2008, where Vadra’s company, Skylight Hospitality, purchased land in Shikohpur for Rs 7.5 crore. The usual mutation process for land transactions, which typically takes months, was completed the following day. Months later, Vadra received permission to develop a housing society on the land, which significantly increased the plot’s value. The property was later sold to real estate giant DLF for Rs 58 crore.
The ED suspects that the profits from this transaction may be linked to money laundering activities. The deals took place when the Congress party was in power in Haryana, with Bhupinder Singh Hooda serving as the Chief Minister. The investigation continues as the ED probes the financial trail behind Vadra's substantial profit from the land deal.
With IANS inputs
