BJP seeks probe of ‘Vadra mansion’

Senior BJP leader Kirit Somaiya on Monday sought a detailed inquiry by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) into the alleged involvement of Robert Vadra, the son-in-law of Congress president Sonia Gandhi, in the 2009 purchase of a “benami” or proxy-owned mansion in London.

Mr Somaiya on Monday wrote a letter to the ED director, Karnal Singh, seeking a probe into the matter. Quoting media reports about a benami property in London bought by Mr Vadra, Mr Samaiya wrote, “The media report quotes a government report stating that alleged arm dealer Sanjay Bhandari is holding a house at 12 Ellerton House, Bryanston Square, London”.

Mr Vadra has denied the charge. Mr Vadra’s lawyers have said he “does not own, directly or indirectly, a house — as quoted in media reports as No 12, Ellerton House, Bryanston Square, London” — and that he and his assistant “have not entered into any transaction of a financial nature with Sanjay Bhandari and are not even aware that Bhandari is involved in any defense transaction”. In April. investigative agencies raided 18 premises owned by Sanjay Bhandari.

Two preliminary reports prepared by investigative agencies reportedly state that Mr Vadra and his executive assistant Manoj Arora allegedly sent several emails discussing payments and renovations for the London house bought for 19 lakh GBP (Rs 19 crore) in October 2009 and sold it in June 2010.

The finance ministry is reportedly probing whether Mr Vadra was involved in the purchase of the mansion in London in 2009 or not. According to the reports, during investigations, Mr Bhandari was specifically questioned whether Mr Vadra was the beneficiary of the sale of the Bryanston Square property in London.

“He did not deny the same but avoided a direct answer,” said the media reports.

There are also allegations that Mr Bhandari had reportedly tried to destroy his BlackBerry phone during the raids.

Mr Bhandari is the owner of Offset India Solutions (OIS). He is being investigated for financial violations linked to 35 suspected shell companies between 2009 and 2014. Recently, OIS won a deal to supply parts for 38 combat aircraft that India is buying from Dassault Aviation.