The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday confronted Robert Vadra, brother-in-law of Congress president Rahul Gandhi, with multiple statements of other suspects and accused reportedly known to him and voluminous documents gathered during the money laundering probe related to purchase of alleged illegal assets abroad.
Vadra (50), husband of Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi, arrived at the agency’s office around 11 am and was grilled for over five hours.
The Investigating Officer (IO) of the case presented him about statements of about half a dozen of his alleged aides who are purported to be the “link” between him, absconding arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari, Bhandari’s associates and other suspects, sources said.
Vadra either denied or claimed ignorance of having any dealing or connections with Bhandari or others. Vadra’s statement was recorded by the IO under Section 50 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) which stipulates “powers of authorities regarding summons, production of documents and to give evidence”.
Vadra was also shown a number of e-mails, banking and financial transaction papers that are purportedly linked to him as part of the money laundering probe. Property documents pertaining to at least four alleged illegal assets were presented to Vadra before his statement was recorded, sources said.
Before deposing before the agency, Vadra issued a statement on social media saying he was being subjected to “sensation and unnecessary drama”. He also said he was being questioned for the 13th time for almost 80 hours.