Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and her husband, businessman Robert Vadra, have been named in an Enforcement Directorate (ED) chargesheet regarding the purchase and sale of land in Haryana. Although their names appear in the document, neither has been listed as an “accused,” according to sources familiar with the matter as of Thursday morning.
The chargesheet, filed against CC Thampi, an NRI businessman, and Sumit Chadha, a British national of Indian origin, alleges their involvement in concealing proceeds from fugitive arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari’s alleged unlawful activities, including violating the Official Secrets Act.
ED’s attention was drawn to transactions between Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and HL Pahwa, a Delhi-based real estate agent, involving the sale of agricultural land in Faridabad in 2006, later repurchased by Pahwa in 2010. Additionally, a residence in Faridabad’s Amipur village was purportedly bought in Ms. Gandhi Vadra’s name and sold back to Mr. Pahwa simultaneously with the land.
This development follows the revelation of similar transactions by Robert Vadra with HL Pahwa for land dealings in Amipur between 2005 and 2006, subsequently selling the entire tract back in December 2010. Similar dealings involving Mr. Thampi, currently out on bail after arrest in 2020, are under ED scrutiny.
While Robert Vadra has faced ED questioning in other cases and denied any wrongdoing, this marks the first instance of Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s husband being named in this specific case.
Political reactions to these developments have emerged. Congress leaders like Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and Maharashtra’s Nana Patole insinuated BJP’s intentions, alleging the ruling party’s fear and attempts to distract from genuine issues.
The Aam Aadmi Party criticized the ED’s actions, accusing the agency of targeting opposition leaders.
In a notable party reorganization last week, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was replaced as the General Secretary in-Charge of Uttar Pradesh. Speculation arose around her potential electoral debut, with suggestions that she might contest the Varanasi seat against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Sources By Agencies