An Enforcement Directorate (ED) chargesheet about a money laundering case mentions Priyanka Gandhi. This comes after Robert Vadra’s name was previously included in the same chargesheet.
Priyanka Gandhi’s participation in the purchase and sale of agricultural property in Faridabad, Haryana, is highlighted in the chargesheet that the ED filed. It mentions explicitly that she bought land in 2006 from real estate agent HL Pahwa of Delhi; the land was sold back to him in February 2010.
Priyanka Gandhi is mentioned in the chargesheet, however she isn’t included among the accused in this case. The ED claims that her relationship with Pahwa coincides with land deals that her husband, Robert Vadra, bought and then sold three plots totaling 334 kanals (40.08 acres) in 2005 and 2006, with Pahwa being the last buyer in December 2010.
Where does the case evolves?
The agent was also the one who sold land to NRI businessman CC Thampi. Sanjay Bhandari, a fugitive arms trader, is being investigated by numerous authorities for money laundering, violating foreign exchange and black money rules, and violating the Official Secrets Act. In 2016, he escaped India for the United Kingdom. Thampi, along with British national Sumit Chadha, has been accused of assisting Bhandari in concealing criminal gains.
In an earlier charge sheet relating to the case, the ED mentioned Robert Vadra as an accused close associate of Thampi
The charge sheet describes the link between Vadra and Thampi, saying, “During the course of investigation in this case, it is discovered that CC Thampi and Robert Vadra have a long and thick relationship.” They have not just a personal/cordial relationship, but also common and related commercial objectives.”
Thampi, who was detained in January 2020, purportedly informed the ED that he had known Vadra for over ten years and that they had met multiple times during Vadra’s travels to the UAE and Delhi.
What is Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA)?
The Indian Parliament passed this law to prevent money laundering, which is the practice of transforming unlawfully obtained funds into what appear to be genuine funds. The PMLA gives the Indian government the authority to seize property obtained via money laundering and to punish anybody participating in such operations.
Whoever commits the offense of money laundering will be punished by harsh imprisonment for a time not less than three years but not less than seven years, as well as a fine of up to five lakh rupees.
Precedents of Political leaders falling into laundering trap
There are other famous PMLA cases in India which includes Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi which involves the alleged fraudulent acquisition of over ₹13,000 crore from Punjab National Bank (PNB) and laundering of the proceeds through a complex web of shell companies and overseas transactions. Vijay Mallya, The former Kingfisher Airlines chairman is accused of defrauding banks of over ₹9,000 crore and fleeing India in 2016. The ED has attached his properties in India and abroad and is seeking his extradition to face trial.
A.R. Reddy, the former Andhra Pradesh minister for infrastructure and investment is accused of money laundering through various projects, including the Amaravati land scam. The ED has attached his properties worth over ₹500 crore and the case is still under trial. Y.S. Jaganmohan Reddy, The Chief Minister of Andhra Pradesh was accused of money laundering to the tune of ₹16,000 crore during his earlier term as an MP. However, he was acquitted by the special court in 2017. Hasan Ali Khan, The Delhi-based businessman was accused of money laundering through various shell companies and investments in Dubai. The ED attached his properties worth over ₹550 crore and he was sentenced to seven years imprisonment in 2015.
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