ED begins probe against Robert, Maureen Vadra at Jaipur in connection with Bikaner Land scam

The Enforcement Directorate on Tuesday began its probe against Delhi-based businessman Robert Vadra and his mother Maureen Vadra in Jaipur over a money laundering case in connection to the Bikaner Land scam.

Robert Vadra

Jaipur: The Enforcement Directorate on Tuesday began its probe against Delhi-based businessman Robert Vadra and his mother Maureen Vadra in Jaipur  over a money laundering case in connection to the Bikaner Land scam. Just last week, Robert Vadra was grilled for 24 hours over the course of three days by the ED in connection with a probe into allegations of money laundering over purchase of upscale mansions in the United Kingdom. The mother-son duo, who came to Jaipur on Monday afternoon reached the probe agency's office on Bhawani Singh Road for interrogation at 10 am. Meanwhile Robert's wife and Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also landed in Jaipur late on Monday night after completing her roadshow in Lucknow, and dropped off her husband and mother-in-law at the ED office. On the first day of Vadra’s questioning in Delhi last week, Priyanka had accompanied him to the ED's office, sending a "clear message" that she “stands by her husband." As directed by the Rajasthan High Court last month, Vadra has to join investigations in the Bikaner land case on February 12. The High Court has asked the partners of his company Skylight Hospitality Private Limited to cooperate with the ED in the probe. The agency had earlier issued three summonses under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The Rajasthan Police have filed chargesheets alleging fraudulent allotment of land meant for resettlement of people displaced by the setting up of the Mahajan Field Firing Range. It is further alleged that the fraudsters colluded with state government employees and grabbed the land and then sold it. While Vadra has vehemently denied all allegations in the case, Skylight Hospitality, one of the buyers, has alleged that it was cheated in the deal.