Robert Vadra denies charges, says he doesn't own properties in London

Robert Vadra also denied any business association with Sanjay Bhandari and his cousin, Sumit Chadha. (Photo: Twitter/@ANI)

HIGHLIGHTS

• This is the first time Robert Vadra is appearing before any probe agency in connection with alleged criminal charges of dubious financial dealings
• Vadra has denied these allegations in the past and termed them a political witch hunt against him
• Vadra was directed by a Delhi court to cooperate with the investigation being carried out by the central probe agency

Robert Vadra, Priyanka Gandhi's husband, on Wednesday said he did not own any property in London. His clarification came in connection with the corruption charges in view of which he appeared before the Enforcement Directorate.

"I know Manoj Arora. He was once my employee. But he did not write any email on my behalf," Robert Vadra told ED officials.

Arora is Vadra's aide and an employee of a firm linked to Vadra, Skylight Hospitality LLP.

This is the first time Robert Vadra, also the brother-in-law of Congress president Rahul Gandhi, is appearing before any probe agency in connection with alleged criminal charges of dubious financial dealings.

Vadra has denied these allegations in the past and termed them a political witch hunt against him.

Vadra was directed by a Delhi court to cooperate with the investigation being carried out by the central probe agency after he knocked on its door seeking anticipatory bail in this case.

Vadra entered the ED office at around 3:47 pm even as a team of his lawyers had arrived minutes before him.

Official sources said Vadra was put through questions on transactions, purchase and possession of certain immovable assets in London and his statement will be recorded under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

Earlier in the day, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was seen dropping off Robert Vadra outside the ED office. Incidentally, she assumed charge as the general secretary of Uttar Pradesh (East) only a day before - on Tuesday.

Priyanka Gandhi accompanied her husband, in a white Toyota Land Cruiser along with SPG personnel in tow, and dropped him outside the agency's office in Jamnagar House in central Delhi. She soon left in her convoy of vehicles.

The above-mentioned case relates to allegations of money laundering in the purchase of a London-based property located at 12, Bryanston Square worth 1.9 million pounds, which is allegedly owned by Vadra.

The agency had told the court that it has received information about various new properties in London which belongs to Vadra.

The ED had carried out raids in this case in December last year and grilled his aide Manoj Arora.

Robert Vadra has also been directed by the Rajasthan High Court to appear before the ED on February 12 in connection with another money laundering case being probed by the agency.

SOURCE