Robert Vadra, 8 others summoned by Court over alleged ₹58 crore land deal laundering case

A Delhi court on Wednesday summoned businessman Robert Vadra and eight others in connection with a money laundering case linked to a 2008 land deal in Shikohpur village, Gurugram. The summons were issued after the court took cognisance of a prosecution complaint filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED), directing all accused to appear before it on May 16.

The case revolves around the alleged generation of proceeds of crime through a land transaction involving approximately 3.5 acres of land. The ED has claimed that Vadra’s company acquired the land at a significantly undervalued price and later sold it at a much higher value, raising suspicions of illegal financial gains and laundering of funds through multiple entities.

During the proceedings, the defence argued that no offence of money laundering was made out against Vadra and urged the court not to take cognisance of the complaint. However, the court proceeded with the case after considering submissions from both sides, limiting its observations at this stage to procedural and jurisdictional aspects, with detailed arguments to be examined later.

According to the ED, the land was initially purchased for ₹7.5 crore, with allegations that no actual payment was made and that the transaction documents contained false declarations. The agency further stated that the property was later sold at a much higher value, generating proceeds of crime estimated at ₹58 crore. It has also provisionally attached 43 immovable properties worth ₹38.69 crore linked to the case.

The probe agency has sought prosecution under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, which carries a maximum punishment of seven years’ imprisonment along with confiscation of assets. The case traces its origins to earlier investigations into alleged irregularities in the land deal, with further proceedings now expected as the accused appear before the court next month.