Robert Vadra secures pre-arrest bail in Shikohpur land transaction case

A Delhi court on Saturday (May 16, 2026) granted pre-arrestbail to businessman Robert Vadra in a money laundering case linked to the Shikohpur land transaction under investigation by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

Special Judge (Prevention of Corruption Act) Sushant Changotra of the Rouse Avenue Court granted the relief to Mr. Vadra on a surety bond of ₹50,000.

Mr. Vadra appeared before the court after summons were issued to him and eight others following the court taking cognisance of the ED’s prosecution complaint. The case originates from a first information report (FIR) registered by the Gurugram Police in 2008 over alleged irregularities in a land transaction involving 3.53 acres in Shikohpur village, Sector 83, Gurugram, Haryana.

According to the allegations, Mr. Vadra, through his company M/s Sky Light Hospitality Pvt. Ltd., acquired the land from M/s Onkareshwar Properties Pvt. Ltd. for ₹7.5 crore. Investigators alleged that the acquisition involved false declarations and that a commercial licence for the property was obtained through influence within the State administration.

The transaction took place during the Congress-led government in Haryana headed by then Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda. In 2012, Sky Light Hospitality sold the land to real estate firm DLF for ₹58 crore.

The deal drew wider attention after senior IAS officer and whistleblower Ashok Khemka, who retired earlier this year, cancelled the mutation linked to the transaction in 2012 while serving as Haryana’s Director General of Land Consolidation and Land Records-cum-Inspector General of Registration. Mr. Khemka had described the transaction as being in violation of provisions of the State Consolidation Act and related procedures.

ED officials have stated that a Provisional Attachment Order was issued on July 16, 2025, under which 43 immovable properties worth ₹37.64 crore linked to Mr. Vadra and associated entities, including M/s Sky Light Hospitality Pvt. Ltd., were attached.

Mr. Vadra has consistently denied wrongdoing and described the case as an instance of “political vendetta” targeting him and his family.

The ED had earlier filed its chargesheet in the case without arresting Mr. Vadra.

Appearing virtually during the proceedings, ED counsel Zoheb Hossain informed the court that the agency was submitting a status report and sought additional two weeks to place another report on record after further investigation. He also informed the court that the accused had challenged the order taking cognisance of the matter.

The case has been listed for further hearing on July 10.