Delhi Desk, Delhi Magazine: Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi is once again facing challenges as her name has surfaced in connection with a case under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has included Priyanka Gandhi in its charge sheet, citing her involvement in the acquisition of a 40 kanal (five acres) agricultural land in Faridabad, Haryana. The land, originally sold by Delhi-based real estate agent HL Pahwa in 2006, was reportedly purchased by Priyanka Gandhi in February 2010.
The ED alleges that this Faridabad land was acquired from Pahwa in Amipur village, where Priyanka’s husband, Robert Vadra, was also involved in buying and selling three pieces of land between 2005 and 2006. The same agent, Pahwa, is claimed to have sold land to NRI businessman CC Thampi. The broader investigation involves fugitive weapon dealer Sanjay Bhandari, who is under scrutiny for various financial violations, including money laundering, foreign currency irregularities, and violations of black money laws and the Official Secrets Act. Bhandari fled to Britain from India in 2016.
The charge sheet implicates Thampi and British citizen Sumit Chadha for allegedly assisting Bhandari in concealing illicit earnings. Robert Vadra is named as a close associate of Thampi in the charge sheet. The document also alleges that Pahwa received cash for land acquisition, and it notes that Robert Vadra did not fulfill the sales payments to Pahwa. The ED’s ongoing investigation is examining these claims.
According to the charge sheet, Robert Vadra established units in India, named Sky Light Hospitality Private Limited and Sky Light Realty Private Limited, on November 1, 2007, and November 16, 2007, respectively. These details were obtained from the Corporate Ministry website. Additionally, in the United Arab Emirates, a unit named Sky Light Investment FZE was established, with CC Thampi as its sole shareholder.
The charge sheet highlights that Robert Vadra created Blue Brees Trading Private Limited in India on November 1, 2007, which was later converted into a Limited Liability Partnership (LLP). The unit consistently used the email ID bivebreezetrading@zmall.com. The incorporation documents for these entities were downloaded from the Ministry of Corporate Affairs website. This email ID was also reportedly used by CC Thampi’s employee, Bina in Dubai, to discuss the property at 12 Brianston Square in London.
In another PMLA case (related to ECIR/OG/HIU 2018), the ED is investigating Robert Vadra, his unit Sky Light Hospitality Private Limited, and others. The investigation revealed that Mahesh Nagar, a resident of Delhi NCR, represented various institutions during land transactions in Delhi-NCR and Bikaner, Rajasthan. The ED also mentioned Robert Vadra in a statement on Tuesday regarding the purchase of a property in London, which is part of the ongoing investigation.
The charge sheet emphasizes a significant and long-standing relationship between Robert Vadra and CC Thampi, noting not only a personal bond but also common and similar business interests. Thampi, arrested in January 2020, reportedly informed the ED that he had known Vadra for over 10 years and had met Vadra in the UAE multiple times during his visits to Delhi.