Robert Vadra, Congress President Rahul Gandhi’s brother-in-law, who is under the Enforcement Directorate for alleged involvement in a money laundering case, had applied to Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court seeking permission to fly to London. The court has reserved the order till June 3. Vadra had reportedly submitted a medical certificate to the court stating that he has a tumour in his large intestine and he needs to go to London for treatment.
On Wednesday, Vadra appealed that his passport is released so that he can travel to London for diagnosis and further treatment. His lawyer KTS Tulsi argued that since Vadra is participating in the investigation and has returned to India without having any summons issued to him, he should be granted permission to fly since it cannot be said that Vadra will flee.
Rejecting Vadra’s claims, the prosecutor lawyer arguing on behalf of the ED pointed out that the medical certificate bears the date of 13th May. He asked why was this not submitted earlier. The medical certificate also specifically mentioned how the further opinion needs to be taken from London. “Why does the medical certificate say he will take further opinion from London? He can take it from anywhere else. It’s not like treatment is not available in India. Why is the medical certificate specifying where he can get the second opinion from?,” the lawyer argued.
Earlier today, the ED had summoned him tomorrow for questioning in connection to the land deals in Bikaner, Delhi and other properties. On May 24, the ED had moved the Delhi Court seeking cancellation of Vadra’s anticipatory bail which was granted to him earlier this year.
Vadra is being proved in several cases by investigating agencies, which includes money laundering and illegal land deal cases. According to ED, the money laundering case involves payment of Rs 300 crore in a defence deal and USD 10 million received in a petroleum deal. A 1.9 million GBP London based property allegedly owned by Vadra is also a subject of the probe.
Earlier ED had questioned Robert Vadra in its office, but ED had alleged that he was not cooperating in the investigation and said that his custodial interrogation is required. ED ha said in the court that “Robert Vadra is not cooperating despite several opportunities and his custodial interrogation is required.” The agency had also said that Vadra had started political mudslinging, saying “It is unfortunate that the petitioner has got involved in political mudslinging. His conduct during the course of investigation raises even more apprehensions that he is a key to unearthing the modus operandi and black money.”
