Money laundering case: Robert Vadra appears before ED again

Robert Vadra appeared before the ED again. The summon was issued, in a money laundering case involving the purchase of several properties in London, and over his association with arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari.

New Delhi:Congress President Rahul Gandhi's, brother-in-law, Robert Vadra, appeared before the Enforcement Directorate in connection with a money laundering case,linked to purchase of alleged illegal assets abroad, on Thursday.

Vadra was dropped by his wife and Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi, outside the agency's office. He was summoned, to testify before the investigating officer, of the case, and his statement was recorded, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

He has appeared before the agency multiple times in the past in this case.

The Enforcement Directorate agency has recently sought cancellation of the anticipatory bail given to Vadra and has also opposed his foreign travel.

A local court, on Wednesday, had reserved for June 3 its order to allow Vadra to travel abroad.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED), moved to the Delhi High Court court seeking cancellation of the anticipatory bail given to Vadra, and the court had then issued a notice to him seeking his response.

The ED told the Delhi HC, it required Vadra's custody as he was not cooperating in the investigation and the trial court had not discussed the gravity of the offense in its order that gave relief to the high-profile businessman.

The ED case against Vadra relates to allegations of money laundering in the purchase of a London-based property located at 12, Bryanston Square worth 1.9 million GBP (British pounds), which is allegedly owned by him.

The agency had told Delhi court, it has received information about various new properties in London which belong to Vadra. These include two houses, one worth 5 million GBP and the other valued at 4 million GBP, six other flats and more properties.

Vadra has denied the allegations of possessing illegal foreign assets and termed them a political witch hunt against him.

He said he was being "hounded and harassed" to subserve political ends.