New Delhi, April 18, 2025 – The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is set to file chargesheets against businessman Robert Vadra in three money laundering cases, escalating scrutiny on the brother-in-law of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. The cases—linked to a 2008 Gurgaon land deal, a Bikaner land scam, and alleged ties to arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari—could see prosecution complaints lodged soon, sources told Times of India on Thursday (web:0,16,17). Vadra, grilled for 16 hours over three days this week, called it “political vendetta” (web:1,8).
In the Gurgaon case, Vadra’s Skylight Hospitality bought 3.5 acres in Shikohpur for Rs 7.5 crore in 2008, selling it to DLF for Rs 58 crore months later, netting Rs 50 crore profit (web:0,2). ED alleges irregularities, tied to then-CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda’s approvals (web:2). The Bikaner scam involves Vadra’s associates allegedly using forged documents to buy 275 bighas for Rs 72 lakh, sold for Rs 5.2 crore (web:0,5). The Bhandari case links Vadra to London properties bought with Rs 310 crore in alleged defence deal kickbacks, including a renovated Bryanston Square house he reportedly used (web:0,15).
Vadra, 56, slammed the probes as attempts to silence his political voice, claiming he’s submitted 23,000 documents over 20 ED appearances (web:1,8). “I’m a hard target,” he told reporters, alleging BJP misuse of agencies (web:0,8, post:0,7). Congress calls it a distraction from economic woes—Kharge accused BJP of “whitewashing sins” (web:18). X buzzes—“Vadra’s cornered!”—but supporters cry foul: “BJP’s witch hunt!” (post:4,6). ED’s 2024 filed 15 opposition-targeted chargesheets, none against BJP (CAG).
The timing’s no coincidence—Congress’s 99 Lok Sabha seats in 2024 threaten BJP, and National Herald raids hit Sonia and Rahul (web:0,18). Vadra’s past probes, like the 2016 Dhingra Commission, found no proof, yet ED persists (web:9). India’s 140 crore voters watch—2026 polls loom, and Gujarat’s Congress revamp adds stakes (ECI). Will ED’s charges stick, or fuel Vadra’s political rise?
