New Delhi:
The Special CBI Court on Monday allowed Rahul Gandhi’s brother-in-law Robert Vadra to travel abroad for medical treatment. However, the court said that Vadra can’t travel to London, he can go to the US and Netherlands. Vadra withdrew his travel request to London. Court has said in case any look out circular is issued, it will remain suspended during this period. Last week on Wednesday, Vadra had submitted a written affidavit in a Delhi Court seeking permission to fly abroad. In the affidavit, Vadra said that he was suffering from tumour in intestine and needed to fly abroad for treatment. Appearing in the court on his behalf, lawyer KTS Tulsi said that his client has taken different opinions for two hospitals. Though the doctors have not spoken about need of surgery, however, they have advised Vadra to go to London for further treatment. Tulsi also said that his client is a law-abiding citizen and despite no warrant or summon, he had returned to India on time to join the investigation.
However, the Enforcement Directorate has said that the probe is at crucial juncture and custodial investigation is needed. The ED also said that ailment can be treated in India and Vadra should trust the medical facilities in the country.
The hearing was going on as the ED issued a fresh summon to Robert Vadra, brother-in-law of Congress President Rahul Gandhi, to appear before it Thursday in connection with a money laundering case linked to purchase of alleged illegal assets abroad, officials said. They said Vadra has been asked to depose before the investigating officer of the case at around 10:30 am at the agency’s office here.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) only last week moved a court here seeking cancellation of the anticipatory bail given to Vadra in this case and the Delhi High Court had then issued notice to him seeking his response.
The ED, which had grilled Vadra over a dozen times in this case, had told the Delhi HC that it required Vadra’s custody as he was not cooperating in the investigation and and the trial court had not discussed the gravity of the offence in its order that gave relief to Vadra, husband of Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi.
The ED case against Vadra relates to allegations of money laundering in the purchase of a London-based property located at 12, Bryanston Square worth 1.9 million GBP (British pounds), which is allegedly owned by him.
The agency had told a Delhi court that it has received information about various new properties in London which belong to Vadra. These include two houses, one worth 5 million GBP and the other valued at 4 million GBP, six other flats and more properties.
Vadra has denied the allegations of possessing illegal foreign assets and termed them a political witch hunt against him. He said he was being “hounded and harassed” to subserve political ends.
