The ED would be questioning Robert Vadra and his mother Maureen Vadra in Jaipur on Tuesday
Robert Vadra, Congress president Rahul Gandhi's brother-in-law, and his mother Maureen Tuesday appeared before the Enforcement Directorate here in connection with a probe into an alleged land scam in Rajasthan's Bikaner district. He was questioned for 7.5 hours. and have to again appear for questioning on Wednesday, said his lawyer. Vadra's questioning ended at around 7.30 PM but he stayed in the ED office till 8.30 PM.
SJ Khaitan, Vadra's lawyer said that he has to again appear for questioning at 10.30 AM. ED has finished their question round with Robert Vadra's mother, confirmed Khaitan.
AICC general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra dropped them off at the ED's zonal office, taking time off from her four-day Uttar Pradesh trip in a show of solidarity with her husband.
On Facebook, Vadra accused the Narendra Modi government of being vindictive ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.
This was Vadra's first appearance before the ED in Jaipur in connection with charges of money laundering through land deals made by a company linked to him. Vadra was asked by the Rajasthan High Court to cooperate with the agency.
His Jaipur appearance follows soon after he faced ED questioning for three days in Delhi on charges of money laundering, allegedly through property purchased in London.
Vadra is also facing charges of irregular land deals in Haryana's Gurugram district.
Vadra and his mother reached the ED's zonal office at Bhawani Singh Road, amid tight security arrangements.
Maureen Vadra was allowed to go after some time.
Vadra was permitted to leave around 1.30 pm for an hour-long lunch break.
Near the ED office, some Congress workers shouted slogans in support of Priyanka Gandhi, and also repeated the slogan given by her brother Rahul Gandhi, calling Modi a thief .
Chowkidar chor hai, they shouted.
Several hoardings were put up nearby showing pictures of Priyanka Gandhi and her husband Robert Vadra, and saying the people wanted Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi to come to power.
Jan Jan ki hai yehi pukar, Rahul ji-Priyanka ji abki baar, the banners said.
Rajasthan Congress vice president Archana Sharma, however, claimed she was not aware of such posters.
"The party has not put up any such hoardings," she said.
Before the questioning started, Vadra accused the government of harassing his elderly mother by putting her through it.
As I always have adhered to rules and overall being a disciplined person, I have the ability to sustain any amount of hours of questioning and having nothing to hide, I will answer every question with respect and dignity. This too shall pass and will make me stronger, he said.
"So here we are my 75-year-old mother and me in Jaipur to depose in front of the Enforcement Directorate. Not understanding the lows of this vindictive government to be harassing a senior citizen, who the world knows has lost her daughter in a car crash, her ailing son to diabetes, and her husband as well," he posted.
In the Bikaner case, the agency had summoned Vadra thrice but he failed to appear before it.
The Rajasthan High Court asked him and his mother to cooperate with the agency after they approached it, seeking directions that no coercive action is taken against them by the ED.
The ED had registered a case in connection with the deal in 2015, taking cognisance of a clutch of FIRs and chargesheets filed by the Rajasthan police after the Bikaner tehsildar complained about alleged forgery in land allotment.
It is understood that the agency wanted to question him about the operations of Skylight Hospitality Private Limited, allegedly linked to him, which purchased land in the area.
It also wanted to confront Vadra with the statements of those said to be linked to him.
According to Zee Rajasthan sources, Vadra was asked several questions regarding source of money for the property, what was the purpose of buying the land, about why he has not answered to ED summons earlier. He was also questioned about his linkage with Mahesh Nagar. How much Robert Vadra's mother is part of the deals was also one of te questions asked by ED. Who made the papers for the land deal, Vadra was asked to reply that pointed question.
Poster war - The streets outside hotel #RajmahalPlace and #ED office in #Jaipur have posters in support of @RahulGandhi @priyankagandhi with @irobertvadra placed in leading position. Also put up are posters opposing @INCIndia @dna pic.twitter.com/pfm2j93jMb
— Sangeeta Pranvendra (@sangpran) February 12, 2019
Sources say a list of 55 questions has been prepared to be posed to Robert Vadra on Tuesday.
According to sources, Robert and Maureen Vadra were first questioned together, and are now being separately interrogated.
Maureen was asked about some documents which have her signature.
Other questions include where the money to purchase lands came from, who were directors in Skylight Hospitality, what was the business/functioning of Skylight Hospitality, what roles were allocated to the director, among others.
Here are the latest updates:
1. Robert Vadra still being questioned
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While his mother Maureen has been asked to leave, Robert Vadra is back from a lunch break and is still being questioned at the ED office.
According to sources, the ED office has cleared and earmarked a separate area for questioning Vadra.
Only officers associated with the interrogation are permitted to be in that area
2. Maureen Vadra leaves the ED office
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Maureen Vadra leaves the ED office and goes back to the hotel. Questioning presumed to be over.
Meanwhile, earlier, Robert Vadra, who is being probed by the Enforcement Directorate in various cases, had alleged the Modi government was being "vindictive" and harassing his 75-year-old mother as elections were approaching
3. Questions being asked to the Vadras'
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Sources say a list of 55 questions has been prepared to be posed to Robert Vadra on Tuesday.
According to sources, Robert and Maureen Vadra were first questioned together, and are now being separately interrogated.
Maureen was asked about some documents which have her signature.
Other questions include where the money to purchase lands came from, who were directors in Skylight Hospitality, what was the business/functioning of Skylight Hospitality, what roles were allocated to the director, among others.
4. All about the case
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Robert hadn't been available for questioning on summons issued in connection to land transactions in Bikaner by Ms Skylight Hospitality, the firm linked to him. The investigation being conducted is part of a larger issue, commonly called the Bikaner land scam. Cases were registered and the Rajasthan government had cancelled the transfer of 374.44 hectares of land sold in various deals after it was found that land allotments were made in the name of fake persons.
5. 'Priyanka Gandhi Zindabad, Chowkidaar Chor Hai'
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'Priyanka Gandhi Zindabad' and 'Chowkidaar Chor Hai' slogans were being raised outside ED office in Jaipur as Robert Vadra and his mother Maureen arrived for questioning in connection with Bikaner land case probe.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra is also with them.
Check out the video:
#WATCH 'Priyanka Gandhi Zindabad' and 'Chowkidaar Chor Hai' slogans raised outside ED office in Jaipur as Robert Vadra and his mother Maureen arrived for questioning in connection with Bikaner land case probe. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was also with them pic.twitter.com/cOPQAgbBE9
— ANI (@ANI) February 12, 2019
6. A list of 55 questions
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Sources say a list of 55 questions has been prepared to be posed to Robert Vadra on Tuesday.
His counsel can accompany him, but will not be present when he is being questioned
7. Earlier, Robert Vadra questioned for 24 hrs
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Just last week, Robert Vadra was questioned for 24 hours over the course of three days by the ED in connection with a probe into allegations of money laundering in the purchase of assets in London
8. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra landed in Jaipur on Monday night
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Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had landed in Jaipur late on Monday night after completing her roadshow in Lucknow
9. Robert Vadra, mother Maureen and wife Priyanka Gandhi
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Robert Vadra and his mother Maureen arrive at ED office in Jaipur for questioning in connection with Bikaner land case probe.
Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also with them
10. Yesterday, Robert Vadra reached Jaipur with mother
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Robert Vadra, along with mother Maureen Vadra reached Jaipur on Monday afternoon
