ED summons Vadra in Bikaner land scam PMLA case

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned Robert Vadra, the brother-in-law of Congress chief Rahul Gandhi, in connection with its money laundering probe in a land grab case in Rajasthan's Bikaner.

Officials said on Friday that Vadra has been asked to appear before the investigating officer (IO) of the case next week to record his statement under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). This is the second summon issued to Vadra in this case.

Vadra was issued a summon earlier this month, but he did not appear before the investigating officer, prompting the agency to issue the second one, officials said.

The ED has registered a money laundering case in connection with the land grab case based on 18 FIRs filed by the Rajasthan police in August 2016 after the local tehsildar filed a complaint.

It came after 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."

However, the ED has not mentioned Vadra's name in its FIR filed under the PMLA. The FIR names some Rajasthan government officials and the "land mafia." The ED had attached assets worth Rs 1.18 crore of government officials and others in connection with the case.

Officials said Vadra may face questions about the operations of M/s Skylight Hospitality Private Ltd, which is "linked" to him. This firm had purchased land in the area.

On February 9 this year, the ED conducted searches at the premises of Mahesh Nagar, who is claimed to have links with Vadra, in the case. Last December, it had also arrested Ashok Kumar, a close associate of Nagar, and another person, Jaiprakash Bagarwa.