Robert Vadra not cooperating in probe, custodial questioning may be needed: ED tells court

A Delhi court Tuesday extended Robert Vadra's interim protection from arrest till March 25 in a money laundering case and asked him to join the probe after the ED alleged that he was not cooperating and sought his custodial interrogation.

Robert Vadra. Photo: Getty

NEW DELHI: Robert Vadra, the brother-in-law of Congress President Rahul Gandhi, is not cooperating in the probe and the Enforcement Directorate may require his custodial interrogation in a money laundering case, the agency told a Delhi court on Tuesday. Special Public Prosecutor D.P. Singh told Special Judge Arvind Kumar that despite being given various opportunities, Vadra was not cooperating in the investigation and he is evasive in his responses. Vadra, who has been granted protection from arrest several times by the court, had filed an anticipatory bail application in the case linked to allegations of money laundering in the purchase of a London-based property at 12, Bryanston Square, worth 1.9 million pounds. The property is allegedly owned by him. The ED also filed a reply on Vadra's anticipatory bail plea. The agency opposed Vadra's plea and requested the court to dismiss it. The court listed the matter for further hearing on March 25, and extended interim protection from arrest granted to Vadra till that date. "If he is granted a blanket protection of bail, there is all likelihood that he will tamper with the evidence and would influence witnesses," the ED told the court. IT further said that Vadra had in a "mala fide" manner raised certain grounds claiming to be a "victim of a political vendetta" and harassment at the hands of the agency. "The allegations were totally unfounded and devoid of any merits. The investigation, in compliance with the procedure established by law, has been conducted as per the evidence on record disclosing commission of grave economic offences," it said. The probe agency also said that Vadra cited his firm's cooperation in another case as a ground for him being granted anticipatory bail. "It (other case) has no bearing on the present case. The present case is based on an independent set of transactions, initiated on the basis of commission of offences under the Black Money Act. The investigation pertains to the undisclosed foreign assets and entities to evade tax," it said. ED further said that it was unfortunate that he has got involved in a "political mud-slinging" but his conduct during the course of investigation raised even more apprehensions that he was a key link to unearth the modus operandi adopted by all the accused persons and hence the agency be given a free hand to interrogate him. It said that the investigation was at a crucial stage and various incriminating documents have come on record. "There are ample evidences in the form of E mails retrieved from seized electronic devices as well as material information gathered from electronic surveillance showing involvement of Vadra, along with his associates in undisclosed overseas assets which he, during course of investigation has denied blatantly taking advantage of interim protection. "From the investigation conducted so far, it is revealed that he is involved in the commission of the offence of cross border and domestic money laundering. He is the beneficial owner of various properties under the investigation in the case, which have been acquired through the proceeds of crime," the agency said. (With inputs from PTI)