Robert Vadra’s Proxy London Land Deal: Bhandari Admits to Emails

Robert Vadra in fresh controversy over alleged ownership of a London property.

File photo of Robert Vadra, son-in-law of Congress party president Sonia Gandhi.(Photo: PTI)

Sanjay Bhandari, the arms dealer who has been under the scanner in the London proxy land deal, admitted on Wednesday that the email trail recovered from his computer was indeed exchanged between him, Robert Vadra and Vadra’s assistant Manoj Arora.

The email exchange between Vadra and and his executive assistant was found during searches of 18 of Bhandari’s premises by the Income Tax department and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) last month. The Income Tax Department officials who conducted the raid confirmed Bhandari’s admission, The Indian Express reported on Wednesday.

The government had on Tuesday launched an inquiry into Vadra’s alleged ownership of a property bought for him by Bhandari, as the email exchange centered around the price for purchase and renovation of a house in London. The Rs 19 crore-worth property – 12 Ellerton House, Bryanston Square – was bought in October 2009 and sold in June 2010.

Bhandari’s London-based relative Sumit Chaddha was dealing with Vadra’s executive assistant Arora with an email address of Exim Real Estate.

According to an NDTV report, the investigation agency’s report reads:

There was an email dated 4.04.2010 in which Sumit Chadda reported the progress of work of renovation and repair work to Robert Vadra and asked for reimbursement of expenses.

Sonia Slams Allegations Against Vadra

Congress President Sonia Gandhi on Tuesday responded to the controversy, calling the allegations “baseless”.

The BJP’s allegation against Robert Vadra is part of a conspiracy to rid the country of the Congress party. Some people have made excuses and unfair allegations. In return, I’m asking them to investigate.

She also lashed out at the Narendra Modi government for celebrating two years in office “at a time when farmers are dying.”

Modi should remember that he is Prime Minister, not a <i>shehenshah</i>.

Who is Sanjay Bhandari?

Sanjay Bhandari is the owner of an arms dealership named Offset India Solutions (OIS), which has a deal with Dassault Aviation to provide parts for the 36 Dassault Rafale fighter aircraft that the Modi government has promised to buy from the French government.

Bhandari had spent time in jail in 2000 for tax evasion in a case involving import of foreign cars. The cars were found with actor Sunil Shetty and former West Bengal Chief Minister’s Jyoti Basu’s son Chandan Basu in 2005, according to DNA.

While Vadra’s lawyer denied any knowledge of the defence deal, Bhandari refused to comment till he consulted with his lawyer in London, according to the NDTV report.

Bhandari came under the investigation agency’s radar after OIS grew into a multi-crore company. The company is suspected to be involved in money-laundering through 35 different shell companies.

While Congress spokesperson Randeep Surjewala claims that Vadra is being targeted, BJP member Kirit Somaiya has sought an inquiry in the claims made by the media reports.

(Photo Courtesy: Twitter/@KiritSomaiya)

Vadra, married to Priyanka Gandhi, is the son-in-law of Congress president Sonia Gandhi. The investigation has come at a time when the Congress is trying to find a footing in Uttar Pradesh.

Uttar Pradesh, along with Manipur, Goa, Uttarakhand and Punjab, will go to polls in 2017.