ED registers case against firm linked to Robert Vadra

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has registered a money laundering case in connection with a land grab case in Rajasthan’s Bikaner in which a firm, that is said to have links with Robert Vadra, is also said to be involved.

The ED suspected that money was laundered in connection with the case of transfer of government land in 34 villages of Bikaner, to be used for expanding the Army’s firing range in the area, to private persons using “forged and fabricated documents”.

ED officials said a criminal case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) has been registered and it will be soon issuing summons and question those involved in the case.

They said they have taken note of media reports that claimed that a firm linked to Vadra, son-in-law of Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, had also purchased a portion of these lands. However, the ED has so far not named Vadra or any company. It has named officials and those linked to “land mafia”. The Congress reacted sharply to the news saying it was “sheer political vendetta”.

“Vadra has done no wrong. No case is pending against him. This is sheer political vendetta,” Congress general secretary and spokesperson Shakeel Ahmed told reporters.