The timing seems political

Why grill Robert Vadra now?

Faith in the fairness of police investigations is in short supply in India. The Enforcement Directorate — an investigative agency, like the discredited CBI — questioned Robert Vadra, the husband of recently-appointed AICC general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, for six hours on Wednesday and again on Thursday. It appears the allegation of money-laundering and the possession of properties in London has been made against Ms Gandhi’s husband. He has denied these allegations in detailed replies and has alleged a “witch-hunt”. The BJP, on the other hand, held a press conference on Wednesday at which it alleged that Mr Vadra made money illegally in petroleum and defence deals when the UPA was in power, and used earnings from these transactions to buy the London properties. The saffron party offered no proof.

But what is evident is that India sent no letter rogatory to the British authorities to investigate Mr Vadra’s suspicious dealings, if there were any, in that country. So it’s not clear on what basis the ED is building its case. The question is apt to be asked if pulling her husband in for questioning is the government's way of degrading the charismatic Ms Gandhi as an effective election campaigner against the BJP, especially in Uttar Pradesh, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Lok Sabha constituency is located.

The Asian Age, February 8