Court extends interim protection to Vadra

NEWDELHI: A Delhi court on Saturday extended till March 2 the interim protection granted to Robert Vadra, brother-in-law of Congress president Rahul Gandhi, and asked him to cooperate with the Enforcement Directorate (ED) probe in a money-laundering case related to purchase of a London-based property worth 1.9 million pounds.

Special judge Arvind Kumar directed Vadra to co-operate with ED after special public prosecutor D P Singh claimed he was being evasive in the probe. “Vadra is not cooperating and giving evasive replies,” Singh said, adding that Vadra has been called for questioning on Tuesday.

Senior advocate KTS Tulsi, appearing for Vadra, said his client was ready to co-operate and sought extension of his interim bail. “Counsel submitted that applicant will join investigation as and when directed by the investigating officer and is ready to cooperate,” the court said.

The court also extended the interim protection to Vadra’s aide, Manoj Arora, till March 2.