Robert Vadra’s Bail Accepted, Can’t Fly Abroad Without Permission

Special Judge granted the relief to Vadra on furnishing a personal bond of Rs 5 lakh and a surety of like amount.

Robert Vadra, facing investigation in a money laundering case, was directed not to leave the country without prior permission by a Delhi court which granted him anticipatory bail while imposing several other conditions, on Monday, 1 April.

Special Judge Arvind Kumar also directed him not to tamper with the evidence or influence witnesses and join the investigation as and when called by the investigating officer.

The court asked Vadra, brother-in-law of Congress President Rahul Gandhi, to furnish a personal bond of Rs 5 lakh and a surety of the like amount.

Vadra is facing allegations of money laundering in purchase of a London-based property at 12, Bryanston Square worth 1.9 million pounds.

In its order granting the relief, the court noted the submissions made by senior advocate A M Singhvi, appearing for Vadra, that the accused has joined the probe as and when called by the investigating officer.

‘Case Mainly Based on Documentary Evidence’

It also noted that there was no allegation that the accused at any point of time had tampered with evidence or influenced any witness in the present case. The case of ED is mainly based on documentary evidence, it said.

The court also observed that Vadra's office premises were searched on 7 and 8 December 2019, and voluminous documents, nearly 20,000 pages, were seized.

It further noted that he had filed application for anticipatory bail on 1 February and on 6 February he was directed to join the investigation.

“The accused has joined the probe as and when called by the investigating officer. Vadra had joined the investigation on nine occasions from 6 February to 8 March and has been interrogated for about 58 hours and answered the questions put to him,” it said.

"Further, it is also noted that accused is having permanent residence in Delhi and has deep roots in society, his family is based in India and his properties are also situated in India," the court added.

ED Opposes Plea

ED's special public prosecutors D P Singh and Nitesh Rana had opposed Vadra's application, saying he was "needed to be dealt with custodial interrogation and that there was a risk of tampering with the investigation".

Rana had told the court that there was fresh evidence in the case, including the e-mail trail in which the purchase and renovation of the London-based property was discussed.

“The anticipatory bail needs to be dismissed. Robert Vadra needs to be dealt with custodial interrogation,” ED had told the court.

ED's lawyer A R Aditya had accused Vadra of politicising the matter.

The court also granted anticipatory bail to Manoj Arora, an employee of Vadra's Skylight Hospitality LLP and a co-accused in the case.

It noted that it was clear from record that the present case was registered on the basis of Black Money Act (Undisclosed Foreign Income and Assets) and Imposition of Tax Act regarding which a complaint had already been filed against Sanjay Bhandari (arms-dealer) and the proceeds of crime allegedly relate to the said offence.

(With inputs from PTI)