Vadra Hints At Joining Politics After Questioning
The matter, which had drawn sharp criticism from the BJP while it was in opposition, was termed by the party as a case of “corruption” and “nepotism.”
NEW DELHI: Businessman Robert Vadra, brother-in-law of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, was questioned for the second consecutive day on Wednesday by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with a money laundering case linked to a 2008 land deal in Haryana. Following the session, Vadra accused the Central agencies of targeting him due to his association with the Gandhi family.
Vadra, who spent over five hours at the ED office on Wednesday, claimed he was being repeatedly asked the same questions despite the Haryana government having already given him a clean chit in the case. His wife, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi, accompanied him to the ED office on APJ Abdul Kalam Road and remained in the visitors’ lounge throughout the interrogation.
The 56-year-old arrived at the office around 11 am, went home for lunch, and returned for the second session, finally leaving around 6 pm. His statement is being recorded under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, and sources said he will be questioned again on Thursday.
Speaking to the media after his session, Vadra said, “I am being targeted only because I am part of the Gandhi family. The BJP has charge-sheeted my family members — my mother-in-law Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi — so I was bound to be next.” He alleged that Central agencies were being “misused” to silence those who question the government.
“They can trouble us, but we only grow stronger. My bond with my wife has also strengthened through these challenges,” Vadra said, adding that he has cooperated fully with investigators and provided extensive documentation.
Vadra also hinted at formally entering politics, saying, “I have been working with the people since 1999. I am almost an activist now. There will be a time when I will definitely enter politics to make a change.”
He further claimed that Opposition leaders are routinely targeted by investigative agencies unless they join the BJP. “No BJP leader is ever summoned,” he said.
The ED’s probe relates to a February 2008 land deal in which Skylight Hospitality Pvt Ltd, a firm previously associated with Vadra, purchased 3.5 acres of land in Shikohpur (now Sector 83) in Gurugram from Onkareshwar Properties for ₹7.5 crore. The land was sold to DLF for ₹58 crore in 2012. The deal came under scrutiny when senior IAS officer Ashok Khemka cancelled the land mutation, citing violations of the state’s consolidation laws.
The matter, which had drawn sharp criticism from the BJP while it was in opposition, was termed by the party as a case of “corruption” and “nepotism.” Haryana Police registered an FIR in 2018 to probe the deal.
Vadra questioned the timing of the renewed inquiry, saying, “This case is 17 years old. I’ve already answered these questions in 2019. What is the purpose of reopening it now?”
The ongoing probe adds to the list of previous cases in which Vadra has been questioned by central agencies. Despite repeated summons, he maintains that all allegations are politically motivated and part of a wider strategy to target opposition voices.
