ED Says Robert Vadra Used Rs 58 Cr From Gurugram Land ‘Scam’ To Buy Properties, Extend Loans, Settle Liabilities
The ED accuses Robert Vadra of receiving Rs 58 crore in proceeds from a Gurugram land deal, allegedly used for assets and investments.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has alleged that businessman Robert Vadra, husband of Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, diverted illicit funds from a 2008 Gurugram land deal to various entities to acquire movable and immovable assets and to finance lavish spending. The claims are part of a 332-page chargesheet filed before a special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court in Delhi on 17 July.
Special Judge (PC Act) at Rouse Avenue Courts, Sushant Changotra, on 2 August issued notices to all 11 accused named in the chargesheet, including Vadra, seven linked companies, and two directors of SGY Properties (formerly Omkareshwar Properties) — Satyanand Yajee and Kewal Singh Virk. The matter is slated for hearing on 28 August.
ED Alleges Undue Influence Over Haryana Officials Due To CM Hooda
According to the federal probe agency, Vadra used his position and connections to exert pressure on Haryana government officials through the then Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda. The case centres on Vadra’s company, Skylight Hospitality (SLHPL), which purchased 3.5 acres of land in Shikohpur village, Sector 83, Gurugram from Omkareshwar Properties (OPPL) for ₹7.5 crore in 2008, news agency PTI reported.
The ED said the payment was misrepresented: a cheque issued by Vadra’s other firm, Sky Light Realty (SLRPL), was never encashed, and no actual payment was made at the time of executing the sale deed. It further claimed that the stamp duty was paid by the seller, OPPL, instead of the buyer, SLHPL.
The agency also pointed to what it described as unusual speed in official clearances — the Department of Town and Country Planning (DTCP) processed the file on the day it was submitted, with the then Chief Minister approving it within five days. The ED contends this shows Vadra’s “undue influence” in securing decisions that had a “cascading effect” on urban planning in Haryana, as per PTI.
Proceeds of Crime and DLF Joint Venture
The ED alleged that Vadra acquired ₹58 crore as proceeds of crime after selling the land to DLF for the same amount. This was facilitated through a joint venture with DLF Retail Ltd, based on a Letter of Intent issued by DTCP for the 3.5-acre plot.
The agency claims these funds were subsequently transferred to various companies controlled by Vadra to purchase properties and make other high-value expenditures.
Robert Vadra Gave “Evasive Replies”, Placed Responsibility On 3 Deceased Associates: ED
In its chargesheet, the ED stated that Vadra gave “evasive replies” during questioning, placing the entire responsibility on three deceased associates — late H L Pahwa, late Rajesh Khurana and late Mahesh Nagar. The agency noted that he provided no documentary evidence to support this claim.
Quoting Vadra’s statement from April this year, the chargesheet records him as saying: “These transactions took place in 2007-08 and that I was a novice to real estate matters and dependent on my three associates (Khurana, Pahwa and Nagar), and whatever agreements were prepared were with their (three associates) understanding, experience and knowledge. I didn’t decide who should be representing or signing these documents, they were decided by late Rajesh Khurana.”
Vadra further remarked that the matter was 18 years old and he does not specifically recall the details of the land deal.
The ED has invoked multiple provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002, including Sections 3, 23, 24, 44 and 45, seeking a maximum jail term of seven years for the accused along with confiscation of the properties.
Earlier, Vadra's office has said in a statement that the "proceedings are nothing more than an extension of the political witchhunt by the present government."
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