Priyanka Gandhi named by ED in money laundering case: Report
What's the story
Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has reportedly been named in an Enforcement Directorate (ED) chargesheet for the first time over an alleged purchase and sale of five acres of land in Haryana.
The Congress leader's husband, businessman Robert Vadra, was also mentioned in the chargesheet to a money laundering case on Tuesday.
However, citing sources, NDTV reported that neither has been listed as an "accused."
Context
Why does this story matter?
The chargesheet has been filed against NRI businessman CC Thampi and Sumit Chadha, an Indian-origin British national, in the matter.
The probe agency believes that the duo assisted fugitive arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari, who fled India to the United Kingdom (UK) in 2016.
This is part of the ED's money laundering probe against Bhandari. Apart from that, he is being probed for violating foreign exchange laws and the Official Secrets Act (OSA).
Thampi is said to be Vadra's close associate.
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About Gandhi Vadra's alleged involvement in money laundering case
In 2006, Gandhi Vadra bought agricultural land in Faridabad from Delhi-based realtor HL Pahwa but sold it back to him in 2010.
Besides, NDTV reported a house bought in her name in Faridabad's Amipur in 2006 was resold to him in 2010.
Interestingly, in a parallel transaction, Vadra bought 40.8 acres in Amirpur from Pahwa between 2005-06 before reselling it to him.
Another similar 486-acre deal was executed between Pahwa and Vadra's aide Thampi (on bail after his 2020 arrest).
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Vadra, Thampi share 'long and thick' relationship: ED
On the other hand, the ED also claimed that the Congress leader's husband and Thampi have a "long and thick" relationship that extends to "common and business interests."
While the central probe agency has previously questioned Vadra in several other matters, this is the first time that the businessman has been named in this high-profile case involving fugitive arms dealer Bhandari.
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Development comes before Gandhi Vadra's rumored electoral debut
Gandhi Vadra was recently replaced as the Congress's general secretary for Uttar Pradesh.
She is currently a Congress general secretary with no assigned portfolio, which fueled speculation that she might make her much-anticipated electoral debut in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.
It was reported earlier that Gandhi Vadra was on a shortlist of opposition political heavyweights who might be fielded against Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Uttar Pradesh's Varanasi, alongside Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar and Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal.
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Congress leader reacts to ED naming Gandhi Vadra in chargesheet
Reacting to the ED's chargesheet naming Gandhi Vadra, Congress leader Pawan Khera took a jibe at the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led Centre for using probe agencies against opposition party leaders ahead of polls.
"Look at what they (BJP) will do before the elections; it is just the beginning," he told ANI.
"They are not doing it for the first time; they do such conspiracies when elections approach. Let them make conspiracies," Khera added.
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BJP is scared of Congress: Maharashtra Congress chief
Meanwhile, Maharashtra Congress President Nana Patole also reacted to the central probe agency's move by claiming that the BJP is scared of the grand old party.
"The British were scared of Mahatma Gandhi then, and even today, the central government is scared of the Gandhi family. The BJP is trying to divert people from the real issues," he told ANI.
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You can watch Patole's full reaction here
#WATCH | On Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's name in ED chargesheet, Maharashtra Congress president Nana Patole says, "BJP is a party that is scared of Congress. The British were scared of Gandhi then and even today the central govt is scared of the Gandhi family. BJP is… pic.twitter.com/g22WbJyjdp
— ANI (@ANI) December 28, 2023
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Details on ED's charges against Vadra
Per the ED chargesheet, Bhandari holds undisclosed "foreign income and assets," including London properties totaling £1.9 million. Vadra's aide Thampi and Chadha are accused of concealing and using "proceeds of crime."
Separately, Vadra faces charges in a 2010 FIR over land transactions in Gurugram.
The ED registered a money laundering case in 2015, claiming Vadra-owned Skylight Hospitality's involvement in illegal transactions concerning land in Bikaner.
Vadra was also accused in the DLF land grab scam case involving land in Amirpur.
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CBI's FIRs against Vadra
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) in 2017 registered 18 fraud cases, with four involving companies connected to Vadra in the Bikaner case. Moroever, allegations were also leveled against Vadra for using his close ties with the Gandhi family for seeking favors, triggering numerous inquiries,