Congress leader Rahul Gandhi recently stated at a rally, “Hum garibo ke liye kaam karna chahte hain,” which translates to “We want to work for the poor.” However, a recent newspaper article revealed that Robert Vadra purchased a house in London for Rs 19 crores. This raises an important question: Is Rahul Gandhi referring to his brother-in-law, Robert Vadra?
Is Robert Vadra Truly “Garib”?
The question of whether Robert Vadra can be considered “garib” (poor) is contentious. It appears that the Congress party is primarily focused in fulling his interests. Notably, Congress party sources indicate that they have decided to distance Robert Vadra from the upcoming Haryana elections. In next few days Robert Vadra will be out of news. This is Congress plan.
The Political Landscape in Haryana
As Haryana voters prepare to cast their vote on October 5 and the names of those who would campaign are out, what has set the eye balls rolling is the absence of Robert Vadra’s name from the list of star campaigners for the Congress party. As the son-in-law of Congress, he is frequently linked to allegations of exploiting farmers in Haryana,
Farmers’ Perspectives
While speaking to the farmers about Rober Vadra, many of whom were hesitant to comment, one farmer remarked, “He is a very powerful man; nobody can touch him.” He added that if Vadra’s party comes back to power, he will undoubtedly accumulate even more wealth. It is worth noting that Vadra still owns land in Manesar and other regions of Haryana.
In this month of February 2024, Haryana Police had added Section 423 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) to the previously registered FIR against Robert Vadra. Section 423 means when there is a false transfer of property with the intention of committing fraud or deception. This section provides for a punishment of up to two years, a fine, or both. Former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda is also implicated in this case.
In FIR number 288 registered on September 1, 2018, at the Kherki Daula police station in Gurugram, Robert Vadra and several builders, including Bhupinder Singh Hooda, have been implicated. This FIR includes charges under IPC Sections 420, 468, 471, 120-B, and Section 13 of the Prevention of Corruption Act. The investigation agency added new charges on January 16.
The FIR registered on September 1, 2018, also names builders DLF, Omkareshwar Properties, and Vadra’s Skylight Hospitality. On December 13, 2023, a notice was issued to former director of Omkareshwar Properties, Govind Kumar, to appear for questioning on December 18, 2023, but he was unable to do so. Additional records were received from the DTCP Chandigarh office on December 14, 2023.
Analysis Could Not Be Conducted Due to Dilbag Singh Being Abroad
The analysis could not be conducted because former CTP and SIT member Dilbag Singh was out of the country. On December 15, 2023, a letter was written to the FCR Haryana to verify the validity of the sale deed number. A response is still awaited.
Allegations Against Robert Vadra
In 2011, Arvind Kejriwal, who later became the Chief Minister of Delhi and had resigned recently as he was involved in corrupt practices, held a press conference along with Prashant Bhushan accusing Robert Vadra of receiving an interest-free loan of Rs 65 crore from DLF Limited, a prominent real estate developer in India. Anna Hazare, a team member Arvind Kejriwal had alleged in the press conference that this loan was given in exchange of political favours, implying a corrupt relationship between Robert Vadra and the company.
After this press conference, Congress party leaders defended Robert Vadra. DLF asserted that the loan was a “business advance” and denied any allegations of quid pro quo, refuting claims that the loan was linked to discounted land sales or other preferential treatment. This controversy garnered significant media attention and raised questions about the integrity of land deals and financial transactions involving Robert Vadra. Gandhi’s family was on the radar.
Subsequently, Robert Vadra, former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, and DLF came under investigation by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) over alleged irregularities in land deals. This investigation relates to a 50-acre land grab in 2013 in Amipur village, Haryana, during Hooda’s tenure. Vadra allegedly made illegal gains of over ₹50 crore from this land deal within a few months in 2008.
The Petroleum Deal Case
In 2009, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) accused Robert Vadra and his associates of receiving kickbacks from a petroleum deal established during the Congress-led United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government. According to the ED, Vadra used these kickbacks to purchase a London-based property at 12 Bryanston Square, valued at £1.9 million. This case is being investigated under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The Alleged Bikaner Land Deal
In September 2015, the Enforcement Directorate registered a money-laundering case against Robert Vadra. The agency alleged that Vadra’s company, Sky Light Hospitality, acquired land designated for the rehabilitation of poor villagers in Kolayat, Bikaner. It was claimed that Vadra obtained 69.55 hectares of land at a reduced price in collusion with Rajasthan government officials and later sold it at an inflated price to Allegenery Finlease through fraudulent transactions. This occurred during a time when the Congress government was in power in Rajasthan. As part of this investigation, the Rajasthan High Court issued summons to Vadra and his mother, Maureen, a director in all of Vadra’s companies, regarding these land dealings in February 2019.
Robert Vadra’s Statement on Allegations
In response to these allegations, Robert Vadra stated: “The political witch-hunt carries on unceasingly, with government departments clearly operating on an agenda to besmirch my dignity and reputation. It’s nothing but a politically motivated, malicious, and baseless prosecution. The truth will prevail someday.”
This is allegation on Robert Vadra’s firms that his firm also bought hundreds of acres of agricultural land in Bikaner, Manesar, Palwal, Hasanpur and Mewat.
By 2010, Robert Vadra’s firms had successfully acquired 29 high-value properties, supported by an ₹80-crore loan from DLF, along with investments from Bedarwals Infra Projects, VRS Infrastructure, and Nikhil International.
Among these acquisitions were:
A Rs 31.7-crore purchase of a 50 per cent stake in Saket Courtyard Hospitality, which owns the 114-bed Hilton Garden Hotel in New Delhi.
A 10,000-square-foot penthouse at the DLF Aralias complex for ₹89.41 lakh.
Seven apartments in DLF Magnolia for ₹5.2 crore.
Apartments for ₹5.06 crore at DLF Capital Greens.
A DLF-owned plot in Greater Kailash-II, a prestigious area in Delhi, for ₹1.21 crore.
While DLF issued a press release claiming that some of these prices were “completely incorrect,” the investment figures are documented in the balance sheets filed by Vadra’s companies with the Registrar of Companies.
Who is Robert Vadra?
Robert Vadra is a businessman and the husband of Priyanka Gandhi, the daughter of former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi. Supporters of the Congress party often emphasise his business ventures and family connections. However, the perspective can differ significantly for farmers in Haryana, many of whom view him as someone who has exploited their land and taken away resources they have cultivated for years. This stark contrast in perceptions highlights the complexities surrounding his public image and the controversies linked to his land dealings.
While Robert Vadra gained public attention after marrying with Priyanka Gandhi(Daughter of Sonia and late Rajiv Gandhi) in 1997, he has consistently been in the news for allegations of land grabbing and questionable business practices. It is reported that he dropped out of college to join his family business in brassware and artificial jewelry.
As per media reports, In 1997, Vadra established Artex, which specialised in brass handicrafts and fashion accessories. He later expanded into the hospitality and real estate sectors.
Robert Vadra’s Meteoric Rise
The year 2007 proved to be particularly lucrative for Robert Vadra. Within that year, he founded several companies, including Sky Light Realty, North India IT Parks, Sky Light Hospitality, Real Earth Estates, and the aircraft charter firm Blue Breeze Trading. This rapid expansion has drawn attention to his business ventures, often raising questions about the sources of his wealth and the legitimacy of his operations.
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