Robert Vadra appears before ED in Sanjay Bhandari money laundering case

Robert Vadra, businessman and husband of Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday for questioning in a money laundering case linked to UK-based arms consultant Sanjay Bhandari, according to official sources cited by PTI.

The officials said Vadra’s statement is being recorded under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). He had earlier sought a deferment of his summons last month, citing overseas travel commitments.

The 56-year-old is under investigation in three separate money laundering cases being pursued by the ED. Apart from the Bhandari-linked matter, he is also being probed in cases related to alleged irregularities in land deals.


Who is Sanjay Bhandari?
Sanjay Bhandari, 63, left India in 2016 after Income Tax authorities raided his premises in Delhi. He was recently declared a fugitive economic offender by a Delhi court. A UK court last month declined the Indian government’s request to appeal in the British Supreme Court against Bhandari’s discharge in an extradition case, effectively closing options for bringing him back to India.

What is the case about?
In its 2023 chargesheet, the ED alleged that Bhandari acquired a property at 12, Bryanston Square in London in 2009 and got it renovated “as per the directions of Vadra and the funds for renovation were provided by Robert Vadra.”

Vadra has denied the allegations, stating he does not own any property in London, directly or indirectly. He has termed the case a political attack.

(With inputs from PTI)