Earlier this week, Vadra alleged that the corruption investigation against him was the result of a political witch-hunt aimed at "besmirching his dignity and reputation".
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) carried out raids at the residence of Congress worker Jagdish Sharma, a close of aide of businessman Robert Vadra, on Saturday. This was in continuation with Friday's raids on the homes and offices of Vadra's associates in Delhi and Bengaluru in a money laundering case related to an unnamed defence deal. Sharma's involvement came to light a day after the ED carried out raids at the premises of close associates of Vadra, son-in-law of UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, for allegedly receiving money from defence suppliers, sources said. On Friday, the agency carried out raids at three places in Delhi and Bengaluru. Sharma is being questioned in the same case that is linked to Vadra.
It was alleged that besides receiving kickbacks for the deal, Sharma was in talks with the owners of a Hindi News channel to buy the media organisation. "Robert Vadra is being framed," said Sharma, of UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law. "The Modi government wants to trap Robert Vadra. Searches are on at my residence. What will they get when there is nothing?"
"They are taking me to the Enforcement Directorate office for questioning," he said .
The investigating agency, however, says it has "evidence" that the persons being raided had received money in their bank accounts from defence suppliers. "The Directorate of Enforcement is conducting PMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering Act) investigations in certain cases relating to ownership of undisclosed assets abroad," ED said in a statement on Saturday, "As part of these investigations, the agency carried out search operations on December 7, 2018 under PMLA at a number of premises in Delhi - NCR and Bengaluru by issue of search warrants under Section 17 of PMLA. These searches have been carried out as per the prescribed procedure. Documents and digital evidence seized during these searches are being examined. Further investigations are in progress."
Earlier this week, Vadra alleged that the corruption investigation against him was the result of a political witch-hunt aimed at "besmirching his dignity and reputation".
Congress termed the ED searches as "blind vendetta" to settle political scores. Addressing a press conference at the party headquarters in New Delhi, Congress Rajya Sabha MP Abhishek Manu Singhvi said, "(After) facing a complete rout in the Assembly elections in five states, the Modi government is back to its dirty tricks and malicious tactics.
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