The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has summoned Robert Vadra, the son-in-law of Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, in connection with an ongoing investigation into a land deal in Shikohpur, Gurugram. The land deal, which dates back to February 2008, involves a transaction between Robert Vadra’s firm, Skylight Hospitality Pvt Ltd, and Onkareshwar Properties. Robert Vadra has been asked to appear before the ED on Tuesday, marking the first time he has been summoned in this case. The investigation stems from a First Information Report (FIR) filed by Haryana Police in 2018.
Details of the Shikohpur Land Deal
The case involves the purchase of a 3.5-acre plot of land in Shikohpur by Robert Vadra’s company at a price of ₹7.5 crore. One of the key points of investigation is the alleged rapid mutation of the land title within just 25 hours of the deal, which has raised suspicions. The ED is focusing on understanding the financial transactions surrounding the deal, and Robert Vadra has been called to explain his involvement in the transaction.
In addition to this, the ED has linked Robert Vadra to several other land deals, including those in the village of Amipur in Faridabad, Haryana. According to the charge sheet, Robert Vadra and his wife, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, were involved in multiple land transactions in the region, some of which were allegedly connected to the fugitive arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari and NRI businessman CC Thampi.
Robert Vadra’s Links to the Investigation
The ED has claimed that Robert Vadra’s links to these land deals and transactions with real estate agents, particularly with Thampi, have raised serious questions about the legality of these deals. According to the ED’s investigation, Thampi played a key role in the acquisition of 486 acres of land between 2005 and 2008 in Amipur, which was allegedly coordinated through NCR-based agent HL Pahwa. Robert Vadra is said to have purchased 334 kanals of land in Amipur from Pahwa in 2005-2006, which was later sold back to him in 2010.
While the ED has not officially named Robert Vadra or his wife as accused in its charge sheet, it has pointed to these transactions as part of its investigation into their financial dealings. The agency also claims that Pahwa, who was involved in these transactions, received payments under the table for land acquisitions, and there are suspicions that Robert Vadra did not pay the full sale consideration for the properties.
