 "The power of Robert Vadra's name")
Robert Vadra, the son-in-law of Congress President Sonia Gandhi, is being probed by government agencies after income tax raids on the premises of controversial arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari raised suspicion that Bhandari might have bought a "benami" or proxy-owned mansion in London for Vadra in 2009, news channel NDTV reported on Monday.
How the new controversy started
According to the report, Vadra and his executive assistant, Manoj Arora, were mentioned in two reports prepared by investigation agencies. The preliminary reports, prepared after enforcement agencies raided 18 premises owned by Bhandari last month, quote emails allegedly sent by Vadra and Arora. According to NDTV, the fresh investigation into Vadra is based on these reports, which allege that Vadra and his assistant sent several emails "discussing payments and renovations for a London home (12 Ellerton House, Bryanston Square) bought for 19 lakh GBP (Rs 19 crores) in October 2009 and sold in June 2010".
According to the report, Vadra and his executive assistant, Manoj Arora, were mentioned in two reports prepared by investigation agencies. The preliminary reports, prepared after enforcement agencies raided 18 premises owned by Bhandari last month, quote emails allegedly sent by Vadra and Arora. According to NDTV, the fresh investigation into Vadra is based on these reports, which allege that Vadra and his assistant sent several emails "discussing payments and renovations for a London home (12 Ellerton House, Bryanston Square) bought for 19 lakh GBP (Rs 19 crores) in October 2009 and sold in June 2010".
The news channel reported that these emails were sent to a relative of Bhandari's based in London, Sumit Chadda. However, it added that despite accessing the preliminary reports, it could not verify the authenticity of the emails.
What the alleged emails say
One of the reports, according to NDTV, says: "There was an email dated 4.04.2010 in which Sumit Chadda reported the progress of work of renovation and repair work to Robert Vadra and asked for reimbursement of expenses."
The report goes on to quote Vadra's alleged response to Chadda, wherein Vadra tells the latter that "he would look into the issue" and says that his "secretary" Manoj Arora will keep "in touch".
Citing the investigation agency's report, the news report says that following Vadra's response, Arora kept in touch with Chadda using an email ID 'Exim Real Estate'.
Citing government officers who spoke to the channel on the condition of anonymity, the news report also says that the emails refer to "redecorating the property, including its chandeliers".
Vadra's legal response
Vadra's lawyers, who also represent Arora according to their written response to the news channel, have denied the allegations.
NDTV quoted their response as saying that Vadra "does not own directly or indirectly, any house described by you as No 12, Ellerton House, Bryanston Square, London" and that Vadra and Arora "have not entered into any transaction of a financial nature with Mr Sanjay Bhandari and are not even aware that Mr Sanjay Bhandari is involved in any defense transaction".
Who is Sanjay Bhandari?
Bhandari, according to the news report, is the owner of Offset India Solutions (OIS). The report adds that Bhandari formed OIS in 2008 with a paid-up capital of only Rs 1 lakh and that its rapid growth into a "multi-crore venture" brought it to the attention of investigating agencies looking into financial crimes. According to NDTV, Bhandari is being investigated in connection to financial violations perpetrated between 2009 and 2014 and linked to 35 suspected shell companies.
OIS, according to the news report, recently won a deal to supply parts for the Dassault Rafale combat aircraft India intends to purchase from France.
