New Delhi, June 10: Businessman Robert Vadra was summoned by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday in connection with the Gurugram land case. However, sources confirmed that Vadra has requested a new date and declined to appear today.
The development comes weeks after Vadra was questioned by the ED on April 17. Speaking to the media post-interrogation, Vadra said the agency repeated questions he had already answered back in 2019.
“There was no new question. All of it was repeated from 2019,” he said, joking that had it not been a public holiday the next day, he would’ve ended up celebrating his birthday inside the ED office.
Vadra’s appearance in April marked the third consecutive day he responded to the ED’s summons. He has consistently denounced the actions as politically motivated, accusing the ruling government of misusing investigative agencies to target opposition figures.
“This is a clear political vendetta. Why are only opposition leaders being summoned? What about BJP ministers? Are they all spotless? There are numerous allegations, yet no action,” he asserted.
The businessman, who is married to Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi, hinted that his legal troubles are linked to his outspoken stance on minority issues and growing public speculation about his political debut.
“Ever since I voiced concerns over atrocities against minorities and indicated openness to joining politics, the pressure has increased. These summonses have no solid basis,” Vadra said.
He further criticized the selective scrutiny of political figures, arguing that the ED has become an instrument of intimidation against rising opposition voices, especially those seen as potential contenders for leadership roles.
Background:
The ED’s probe pertains to alleged irregularities in land deals in Gurugram, where Vadra has been under investigation for suspected benami transactions and violations of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
Next Steps:
Vadra’s legal team is expected to coordinate with the agency to fix a new date for appearance. Meanwhile, political circles remain abuzz over his possible entry into active politics, a move that could further intensify his standoff with central agencies.