The Robert Vadra London property probe has gained momentum as the Enforcement Directorate (ED) questioned him on Monday over alleged money laundering involving two high-value properties in the UK. Vadra, the husband of Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, appeared before the federal agency for approximately two hours in connection with the case.
While Vadra left the ED’s office without commenting to the media, sources confirmed that the probe centered around two prime London properties allegedly linked to UK-based arms consultant Sanjay Bhandari.
ED Alleges Benami Properties in London. The Enforcement Directorate has long suspected that Vadra acquired benami properties through a close association with Bhandari. The focus of the Robert Vadra London property probe includes:
- 13, Grosvenor Hill Court, Bourdon Street
- 19, Bryanston Square
These properties are being treated as “proceeds of crime” related to a 2016 money laundering case. Investigators allege that Vadra resided at Bryanston Square during his visits to London and that Bhandari financed renovations of the properties using funds provided by Vadra.
Sanjay Bhandari Declared a Fugitive Economic Offender
The Robert Vadra London property probe also follows developments surrounding Sanjay Bhandari, who was declared a fugitive economic offender by a Delhi court on July 5. Bhandari fled India in 2016 and has been residing in the UK. The recent court declaration comes months after a British court refused to extradite him to India.
The ruling under the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act, 2018, allows Indian authorities to seize Bhandari’s assets. The ED had filed a chargesheet against him in 2020, following income tax proceedings and investigations under the anti-black money law.
Properties Tied to Suspicious Financial Transactions
According to ED officials, the connection between Vadra and Bhandari was flagged after investigators uncovered financial transactions linked to the London real estate. In 2009, Bhandari allegedly carried out property renovations using backdated documents and undisclosed overseas funds, a claim central to the Robert Vadra London property probe.
Authorities claim that a portion of these funds may have originated from Vadra’s network, with transactions routed through offshore entities. However, Vadra has consistently denied any link to the properties and has termed the allegations a “politically motivated witch hunt.”
ED Tightens Oversight; No Final Charges Yet
While the ED has not yet filed charges against Vadra in the Robert Vadra London property probe, officials confirmed that Monday’s questioning was part of a broader investigation into illicit overseas property holdings by Indian nationals. Vadra has been summoned multiple times in recent years but maintains that he has done nothing wrong.
The agency is currently analyzing new evidence, including travel records, transaction logs, and third-party communications that may shed light on his alleged involvement. The final decision on prosecution will depend on the outcome of these inquiries.
Political Fallout and Legal Path Ahead
The case has triggered political ripples, especially with Congress dismissing the probe as “vindictive” and asserting that no court has found Vadra guilty. With general elections approaching, the revival of the Robert Vadra London property probe could have implications for the political narrative.
Legal experts note that for the ED to secure a conviction, it must conclusively prove that the properties are indeed benami assets funded by undisclosed income. Until then, the probe remains a high-stakes investigation combining elements of politics, international finance, and regulatory scrutiny.
–Input IANS
