Congress president Rahul Gandhi’s brother-in-law Robert Vadra appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) here on Thursday in connection with a money laundering case relating to purchase of alleged illegal assets abroad.
Vadra was dropped by his wife and Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi outside the ED’s office near India Gate about 10:30 am.
The ED had summoned Vadra to depose before the investigating officer of the case for recording his statement under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
Taking to microblogging site Twitter and Facebook, Vadra said, “I maintain my belief in the Indian judiciary. I have and will adhere to all summons/norms of government agencies. I have deposed 11 times with questioning of approximately 70 hours. In future also, I will cooperate, till my name is cleared of all false allegations and accusations.”
Vadra has appeared before the agency multiple times in the past in this case.
The agency has recently sought cancellation of the anticipatory bail given to Vadra and has also opposed his foreign travel. A local court on Wednesday had reserved for June 3 its order to allow Vadra to travel abroad.
The ED also moved a court here last week seeking cancellation of the anticipatory bail given to him in this case and the Delhi High Court had then issued notice to him seeking his response.
The ED had told the Delhi HC that it required Vadra’s custody as he was not cooperating in the investigation and the trial court had not discussed the gravity of the offence in its order while granting him relief to the high-profile businessman.
The ED case against Vadra relates to allegations of money laundering in the purchase of a London-based property located at 12, Bryanston Square worth 1.9 million GBP (British pounds), which is allegedly owned by him.
The agency had told a Delhi court that it has received information about various new properties in London which belong to Vadra. These include two houses, one worth 5 million GBP and the other valued at 4 million GBP, six other flats and more properties.
Vadra has denied the allegations of possessing illegal foreign assets and termed them a political witch hunt against him.
