Proceeds of crime in Vadra land deal used to acquire property, ED tells court

NEW DELHI: It’s a “clear and classic case of money laundering” as proceeds of crime were used to acquire immovable properties, ED on Thursday told a Delhi court while making preliminary submissions on its chargesheet in the case linked to a land deal in Shikohpur village in Gurgaon involving Robert Vadra, husband of Wayanad MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra.The agency was arguing before special judge Sushant Chagotra of Rouse Avenue courts on the point of issuance of notice to Vadra and other accused in the case. The court reserved its order on notice for July 31.ED, which recently filed a chargesheet against Vadra and others in the case, submitted that the evidence conclusively established that the offence is of money laundering, where proceeds of crime are generated, layered and enjoyed.

The agency said they had shown funds flow, property and statements of witnesses.The land deal in question was executed in Feb 2008, when a Congress govt led by Bhupinder Singh Hooda was at the helm in Haryana.Special counsel Zoheb Hosain, who appeared for ED through video-conferencing, submitted that the investigation found false declarations were made in the land deal. Skylight Hospitality, a firm in which Vadra held 99% shares, purchased land measuring 3.5 acres worth crores of rupees.

The sale deed falsely declared that Rs 7.5 crore had been paid, when in reality no payment was made as the cheque was never cashed. The money was paid at a later stage to avoid stamp duty, and this was corroborated by key witnesses, the counsel submitted.The land was later sold to DLF for a higher amount, and this aspect was still being scrutinised, ED told the court. The central probe agency further argued that money laundering and enjoyment of proceeds of crime continued even today.The ED chargesheet, filed on July 17, names 11 individuals and entities as accused, including Vadra, his company Skylight Hospitality, Onkareshwar Properties — which sold the land to Vadra’s firm — and its promoters/directors Satyanand Yajee & K S Virk.