The Enforcement Directorate has taken significant legal action by naming Robert Vadra, the husband of Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, as an accused in a high-profile black money case. This development marks another chapter in the ongoing investigation against UK-based arms consultant Sanjay Bhandari.
Legal Proceedings and Court Dates
The federal investigation agency filed a supplementary prosecution complaint before a special court at the Rouse Avenue court complex on November 15. This legal document, which functions similarly to a chargesheet, will come up for hearing on December 6. The case represents a serious escalation in the legal challenges facing Vadra, who finds himself embroiled in multiple investigations.
This latest complaint comes just three months after the ED named Vadra in another prosecution complaint related to a money laundering probe concerning a 2008 land deal. That investigation focused on a 3.53-acre plot located in Shikohpur village in Gurgaon's Sector 83.
Background of the Bhandari Case
Sanjay Bhandari, the central figure in this case, fled to London following searches conducted by the Income Tax department in 2016. A year later, in 2017, the Enforcement Directorate registered a criminal case against him under the stringent anti-black money law of 2015. The agency has been systematically investigating Bhandari's connections with Robert Vadra since that time.
In a significant development this past July, a Delhi court officially declared Bhandari a fugitive economic offender. This legal designation provides the ED with enhanced powers to seize his assets both within India and abroad.
The London Property Connection
According to ED investigations, Vadra allegedly played a role in assisting Bhandari and using a luxury London property located at 12, Bryanston Square. The agency claims this property represents proceeds of crime and was purchased by Bhandari for GBP 1.9 million. Investigators have gathered evidence suggesting that Vadra not only facilitated the use of this property but also furnished it for his personal use.
The Enforcement Directorate has stated that Bhandari's undisclosed foreign income and assets amount to approximately Rs 655 crore, with the total tax evaded by him, including penalties and interest, calculated at around Rs 196 crore.
Robert Vadra has consistently denied any ownership of London properties, whether directly or indirectly. His legal team has maintained his innocence throughout the various investigations. As the December 6 court date approaches, all eyes will be on the special court's proceedings and how this complex financial case unfolds.
