Court extends Vadra’s interim bail till Mar 2 in laundering case
NEWDELHI: A Delhi court Saturday extended till March 2 the interim bail granted to Robert Vadra in a money laundering case lodged by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) and directed him to join the probe, whenever asked to, after the agency claimed that he was not cooperating in the matter. Vadra’s lawyer sought extension of the interim bail after ED requested for more time to file a reply to his anticipatory bail plea.
Special judge Arvind Kumar granted the relief to Vadra, the brother-in-law of Congress president Rahul Gandhi, and said the interim orders of protection from arrest will continue till next date of hearing.
The court also extended the protection from arrest granted to his close aide and co-accused in the case, Manoj Arora, till the next date of hearing i.e., March 2.
The ED told the court that it needed to question Vadra in the case and opposed his anticipatory bail plea, saying that he was not cooperating in the case.
It also said that Vadra has been summoned for questioning on Tuesday.
“Vadra is not cooperating and giving evasive replies,” Special Public Prosecutor D P Singh and advocate Nitesh Rana, appearing for the ED, said.
The businessman, represented through senior advocate KTS Tulsi, however, denied the charge and said he was ready to come for questioning as and when called. “The counsel submitted the applicant Robert Vadra has already joined the investigation and has cooperated during the investigation. Counsel submitted that applicant will join investigation as and when directed by the investigating officer and is ready to cooperate. Under the facts and circumstances, applicant is directed to join the investigation as and when called by the IO,” the court said.
ED OPPOSED VADRA’S ANTICIPATORY BAIL PLEA, SAYING THAT HE NEEDED TO BE QUIZZED