Son-in-law of Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, Robert Vadra is currently under probed after Income Tax raids on controversial arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari revealed alleged links between the two. He is also under fire for cryptic references to a London property.
Citing a preliminary report prepared by the Income Tax Department and the Enforcement Directorate, following raids conducted last month on 18 properties owned by Bhandari, a media source reported emails were found allegedly sent by Vadra and his executive assistant Manoj Arora, to a relative, London-based Sumit Chadda. While the authenticity of the mails could not be confirmed, it is reported both the men sent emails "discussing payments and renovations for the London home bought for 19 Lakh GBP in October 2009 and sold in June 2010." An email shows Vadra telling Chadda "he would look into the issue", and that his secretary Manoj will be "in touch". The source reported Arora kept in touch using an email ID "Exim Real Estate".
While the businessman remained unavailable for comment, his lawyers were quoted as saying he "does not own, directly or indirectly, any house described by you as No 12, Ellerton House, Bryanstone Square, London" and the Vadra and his assistant "have not entered into any transaction of a financial nature with Sanjay Bhandari and are not even aware that Sanjay Bhandar is involved in any defence transaction."
Bhandari formed Offset India Solution in 2008, which saw rapid success, until the company's dealings were reportedly red-flagged in 2014. Even with OIS clinching a deal to supply parts for 38 combat aircraft India is buying from Dassault Aviation, Bhandari is under investigation for alleged financial violations linked to suspected shell companies between 2009 and 2014. The allegations were rejected by Congress spokesperson Abhishek Singhvi in a press conference. He said, "Let me also make it categorical that we have received a preliminary email reply from Mr Vadra that none of it is true. He has received no notice contrary to the report from ED or IT regarding this issue. This is based on misinformation, this is based on yet another part of the same dirty tricks department of the government which believes in opportunistic and selective leaks and therefore we condemn such attempts by the government."
