Bikaner land case: Robert Vadra appears before ED in Jaipur; Priyanka accompanies him
Modi govt is harassing my old mother as polls are approaching: Robert
Jaipur, Feb. 12: Robert Vadra, Congress president Rahul Gandhi’s brother- inlaw, and his mother Maureen on Tuesday appeared before the Enforcement Directorate here in connection with a probe into an alleged land scam in Rajasthan’s Bikaner district.
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, Mr Vadra accused the Narendra Modi government of being vindictive ahead of the Lok Sabha elections.
He said that the Modi government was harassing his 75- year- old mother as elections were approaching.
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.
Mr Vadra is also facing charges of irregular land deals in Haryana’s Gurugram district.
Mr Vadra and his mother reached the ED’s zonal office at Bhawani Singh Road, amid tight security arrangements.
Ms Maureen Vadra was allowed to go after some time.
Mr 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 jiPriyanka ji abki baar,” the banners said.
Rajasthan Congress vice president Archana Sharma, however, claimed she was not aware of such posters.