Fearing Arrest In Money Laundering Case, Robert Vadra Files Anticipatory Bail Plea In Delhi Court

Robert Vadra, the husband of newly appointed Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gadhi, the brother-in-law of Congress President Rahul Gandhi and son-in-law of former Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Friday filed an anticipatory bail plea in connection with a money laundering case at Patiala House court, ANI has reported

The plea filed before CBI special judge Arvind Kumar is scheduled to go up for hearing on Saturday (Feb 2).

The case relates to allegations of money laundering in the purchase of a London-based property -- located at 12, Bryanston Square -- worth 1.9 million pounds, which is allegedly owned by Vadra.

A Delhi court on Jan 19 extended till February 6 the interim protection from arrest granted to Manoj Arora, a close aide of Robert Vadra , in the money laundering case. Arora was already under probe for another case by the Income Tax Department under the newly-enacted Black Money Act and also under tax law against absconding arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari. Bhandari - Vadra links also reportedly emerged during this investigation

In its plea, the ED claimed that Arora arranged funds for Vadra's undeclared assets overseas. It further alleged that the proceeds of crime were used to channel funds from the UAE. The ED had also sought a red corner notice to prevent Arora from fleeing India.

Vadra is a controversial businessman who has been accused of amassing wealth using his family connection with Nehru-Gandhis, who virtually control the Congress party.

An FIR was lodged against Vadra and former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda in September last year for alleged irregularities in land deals in Gurgaon. He has faced allegations that his company Skylight Hospitality sold 3.5 acres of land in 2008 in Shikohpur village to DLF at a rate much higher than the prevailing rate. Questions have also been raised over the purchase and subsequent sale of land by the company in Bikaner, Rajasthan, at a significant premium through a maze of transactions.

Business premises linked to Vadra's associates have been raided during the probe and Enforcement Directorate has asked him to be present for questioning in the alleged money laundering case related to his deals in Rajasthan.

Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi themselves are currently out on bail in the National Herald case for allegations of cheating and misappropriation.