A Delhi court on Saturday granted pre-arrest bail to businessman Robert Vadra in a money laundering case connected to a land transaction in Haryana. The court ruled that his “detention in judicial custody is neither necessary nor warranted” after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) chose not to arrest him during its investigation.
Court Ruling and Bail Conditions
Special Judge Sushant Changotra of Rouse Avenue Courts also granted relief to co-accused Kewal Singh Virk, ordering both to furnish a surety bond of Rs 50,000 each. The court observed that Vadra had cooperated with investigators and appeared whenever summoned, making detention in custody unnecessary. It held that the accused could face ordinary trial proceedings without being sent to judicial custody.
Background of the Case
The case involves a 3.5-acre parcel of land in Shikohpur village, Gurgaon. According to the ED, a company linked to Vadra purchased the land from Omkareshwar Properties in February 2008 for Rs 7.5 crore and later sold it to DLF for Rs 58 crore. The ED claims this transaction generated proceeds of crime and formed part of a larger alleged money laundering operation. The case stems from a 2018 FIR that raised questions about irregularities in the deal.
The court's decision comes after the ED did not seek custody of Vadra during the investigation, reinforcing the view that his continued presence in custody was not required. The ruling allows Vadra to participate in the trial as a free individual, subject to the bail conditions.
