In a significant development, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has, for the first time, implicated Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi in the money laundering case connected to NRI businessman CC Thampi. Earlier, her husband Robert Vadra had been named in related charge sheets.
The ED’s Allegations and Connection with Robert Vadra
According to the ED statement, Robert Vadra and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra allegedly purchased land in Haryana through a Delhi-based real estate agent who also facilitated land transactions for NRI businessman CC Thampi. The ED suggests a deep connection between Vadra and Thampi, extending beyond personal ties to encompass shared business interests.
Background of the Larger Money Laundering Case
The broader case involves fugitive arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari, currently under investigation for money laundering, violations of foreign exchange laws, and the Official Secrets Act. Thampi, along with British national Sumit Chadha, is listed as an accused facilitator in this case. Bhandari fled to the UK in 2016.
Details from the Latest Chargesheet
The ED’s latest chargesheet, filed in November, alleges that estate agent HL Pahwa, who dealt with both Vadra and Thampi, received off-the-record cash for land purchases in Haryana. Furthermore, Vadra is accused of not paying the full amount for the land purchase. The chargesheet also highlights a peculiar transaction where Pahwa sold agricultural land to Priyanka Gandhi in 2006 and repurchased it from her in 2010.
Press Note and the Relationship Between Thampi and Vadra
A press note has also drawn attention to Vadra’s connection with the purchase of a property in London as part of the ongoing probe. The ED notes a “long and thick” relationship between CC Thampi and Robert Vadra, emphasizing not only personal ties but also common business interests.
Thampi’s Statement and Land Transactions
Thampi, arrested in January 2020, reportedly informed the ED that he had known Vadra for over a decade, meeting him multiple times in the UAE and Delhi. The ED claims that Thampi utilized Pahwa’s services to acquire 486 acres of land in Faridabad, Haryana, from 2005 to 2008. The chargesheet specifies that Vadra purchased land in the same area and later sold it back to Pahwa. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is also implicated in the land transactions with Pahwa.
Allegations Involving Sanjay Bhandari’s London Property
The ED alleges that Sanjay Bhandari acquired a London property in December 2009, funded its renovation with money from Robert Vadra, and asserts that Vadra stayed there on several occasions.
As investigations unfold, these allegations add complexity to the political landscape, raising questions about the financial dealings and relationships of prominent figures in Indian politics.
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