Robert Vadra cries 'witch hunt' after Enforcement Directorate commandeers assets
Says Vadra is not cooperating in the money laundering probe that he must be subject to
A Delhi court on Saturday extended the interim bail until March 2 of Robert Vadra, Congress President Rahul Gandhi's brother-in-law, who came to the court for the first time in connection with a money laundering case being probed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).
Special Judge Arvind Kumar also extended the interim protection from arrest to Vadra's close aide Manoj Arora till March 2.
The hearing was in relation to Vadra's anticipatory bail plea.
The ED, however, told the court that Vadra is not cooperating in the investigation.
Defending him, Vadra's counsel K.T.S. Tulsi said that he has appeared in the ED office thrice and grilled for a total of 23 hours and 25 minutes.
Special Public Prosecutor D.P. Singh argued that Vadra was taking to social media and claiming that he was a victim by posting that he was being "harrased".
Singh said that accused should not use social media to claim that he is being victimised.
He said that Vadra's visit to the court had attracted a lot of media attention which seemed like people had turned up for a "baraat" or a wedding party.
Robert Vadra, Congress president Rahul Gandhi's brother-in-law, Saturday termed as "witch hunt" the Enforcement Directorate's action of attaching assets of a firm linked to him, and claimed that it showed "complete misuse of assertion of power".
Vadra alleged "relentless harassment" a day after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) said it has attached assets worth Rs 4.62 crore of a firm linked to him in connection with the Bikaner land scam money laundering case.
"I have had nothing to hide and I am surely not above the law. I have deposed for almost 6 days; ranging from 8 to 12 hours per day with a 40 minute lunch break, and have been escorted to the washroom," Vadra said in a Facebook post.
He said he has completely cooperated and adhered to the rules whenever called in any part of the country.
"Attachment of my work place -- my office and areas that are sub judice, shows a complete misuse of assertion of power, a complete vindictive & vicious witch hunt," he alleged.
"When truth sustains and prevails, I suppose an apology is all that will suffice. Will stay determined for justice for me," Vadra said.
The ED has issued a provisional order for attachment of the assets under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
It had grilled Vadra in this case in Jaipur twice earlier this week. His mother Maureen was also asked to depose but was allowed to go after completion of brief legal procedures.
Vadra was also questioned by the ED for three consecutive days last week in connection with a probe into allegations of money laundering to purchase assets abroad.