Trouble mounts for Vadra: ED officer probing money laundering case removed over ‘laxity’ in investigation

Vadra’s first face off with the new CIO happened on Tuesday, as he appeared before the Enforcement Directorate in connection with the money laundering case linked to purchase of alleged illegal assets abroad.

Robert Vadra (C), Indian businessman and husband of Indian politician Priyanka Gandhi (unseen), gestures as he arrives at the Directorate of Enforcement for questioning in a money laundering probe over the alleged possession of illegal foreign assets, in New Delhi on May 30, 2019. - Vadra -- the husband of Priyanka Gandhi, one of the younger scions of the powerful Nehru-Gandhi dynasty -- has faced accusations of financial irregularities that he denies, describing them as politically motivated. (Photo by Money SHARMA / AFP)

New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate has removed the Chief Investigating Officer Rajeev Sharma who was probing a money laundering case against Robert Vadra and has appointed Mahesh Gupta as the new probing officer, in a move that is speculated to increase troubles for the brother-in-law of Congress President Rahul Gandhi. As per sources, the action was taken against Rajeev Sharma over alleged laxity in the investigation process. Vadra’s first face off with the new CIO happened on Tuesday, as he appeared before the Enforcement Directorate in connection with the money laundering case linked to purchase of alleged illegal assets abroad. Vadra arrived at the agency's office near India Gate around 10:45 AM. He had skipped the summons on May 31, citing bad health. Vadra was grilled for about five hours last Thursday when the investigating officer of the case recorded his statement under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. Ahead of appearing before the ED, Vadra posted on Facebook a statement saying he was undertaking the questioning exercise for the 13^th time. Vadra, before deposing before the agency Tuesday, issued a statement on social media saying he was undertaking the questioning exercise for the 13th time "post almost 80 hours with the Enforcement Directorate, answering any number of questions, amidst sensation and unnecessary drama around, I stay focused and calm." “As I make my way for the 13th time, post almost 80 hours with the Enforcement Directorate, answering any number of questions, amidst sensation and unnecessary drama around, I stay focused and calm,” he wrote. “But blatantly and carelessly airing my health matters is not correct... But my time spent with people with worst problems, ailing, blind and orphaned kids to see them still smile, gives me the strength to go on ....My life is unique and I have fought for almost a decade over baseless accusations. Physically situations can change, but ones honest mind cannot. I’m determined on the truth and it is a book in the making, for the world to read and know clearly, my side ...,” he stated. Vadra's comment on his health came as a Delhi court on Monday allowed him to travel abroad for six weeks for a checkup and obtain a second opinion on his ailment. Vadra has appeared before the ED multiple times in connection with this case as also in an another criminal money laundering case related to alleged irregularities of land allotment in Rajasthan's Bikaner district. In this case, the businessman has appeared for the 11th time while in the Bikaner case he has deposed twice before the ED at its Jaipur office. The agency recently sought cancellation of the anticipatory bail given to Vadra and had also opposed his plea for foreign travel. The ED had maintained in courts that it required Vadra's custody as he was not cooperating with the investigation. The ED case against Vadra relates to allegations of money laundering in the purchase of a London-based property at 12, Bryanston Square worth 1.9 million GBP (British pounds), which is allegedly owned by him. Vadra has denied the allegations of possessing illegal foreign assets and termed them a political witch hunt against him. He said he was being "hounded and harassed" to subserve political ends. (Additional inputs from PTI)