Priyanka named in ED chargesheet over land deal

For the first time, the Enforcement Directorate has named Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in the chargesheet over the alleged purchase and sale of five acres of land in Haryana. Gandhi’s husband and businessman Robert Vadra is also reportedly named in the probe agency’s chargesheet, but neither is listed as ‘accused’ in the case.

ED has filed the chargesheet against an NRI businessman CC Thampi and an Indian origin British national named Sumit Chadha.

The probe agency believes both Thampi and Chadha have helped fugitive arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari hide the proceeds of his crimes. Bhandari is accused of violating the Official Secrets Act, among other laws. He fled India for the UK in 2016.

ED’s chargesheet has reportedly mentioned Gandhi’s role in purchasing agricultural land measuring 40 kanal (five acres) in Haryana’s Faridabad from a Delhi-based real estate agent HL Pahwa in 2006 and sold the same land to him in February 2010.

According to the ED, in Faridabad’s Amipur village, a house was also allegedly purchased from Pahwa in Gandhi’s name in April 2006 and sold back to him at the same time as the land.

Pahwa was earlier under scanner for allegedly selling 40.8 acres of land in Amipur to Robert Vadra between 2005 and 2006 and buying it all back from him in December 2010. Pahwa is the same person who also sold land to CC Thampi.

ED mentioned Robert Vadra in the chargesheet in connection with the purchase of a property in London that is part of the probe.

In the fresh chargesheet, it is mentioned that Pahwa was receiving cash out of the books for the acquisition of land. “It was also noticed that Robert Vadra did not pay the entire sale consideration to Pahwa,” the chargesheet said.

ED has named Robert Vadra in its earlier chargesheet related to the case as an alleged close aide of Thampi.