• ED names Priyanka Gandhi in money laundering case linked to CC Thampi for first time

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    ED names Priyanka Gandhi in money laundering case linked to CC Thampi for first time
    Vadra and Thampi, according to the ED, have a "long and thick" relationship that encompasses "common and business interests."

    Digital Desk: The name of Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi was initially brought up by the Enforcement Directorate about the money laundering case involving NRI businessman CC Thampi. Robert Vadra, her spouse, was mentioned by ED in previous charge sheets pertaining to the case. 

    "Former Congress President Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law Robert Vadra and daughter Priyanka Gandhi Vadra purchased land in Haryana through a real estate agent based in Delhi who also sold land to NRI businessman CC Thampi," the Enforcement Department stated in a statement.

    Vadra and Thampi, according to the ED, have a "long and thick" relationship that encompasses "common and business interests."

    Sanjay Bhandari, a runaway guns trader, is the subject of the broader case. He is being investigated for violating the Official Secrets Act, breaking foreign exchange regulations, and money laundering. In 2016, he left India for the United Kingdom. 

    Thampi and British citizen Sumit Chadha are among the accused facilitators.

    According to the most recent chargesheet, which was submitted in November, "the federal agency has alleged that real estate agent HL Pahwa, who sold properties to both Vadra and Thampi, received cash out of the books for the purchase of the land in Haryana, and that Vadra failed to pay the full amount for the sale." Additionally, in 2006 Pahwa sold Priyanka Gandhi agricultural land, which he then repurchased from her in 2010."

    Hindustan Times evaluated the report. 

    Vadra was also cited by the press in relation to the investigation-related purchase of a London home. "It is discovered during the course of the investigation in this case that CC Thampi and Robert Vadra have a long and thick relationship," the press release stated. They share not just a friendly and personal relationship but also comparable business interests."
     
    Following his arrest in January 2020, Thampi purportedly informed the Enforcement Department (ED) that he had known Vadra for more than ten years and that they had met multiple times while Vadra was in Delhi and the United Arab Emirates.
     
    According to the ED, between 2005 and 2008, Thampi purchased 486 acres in the Haryana village of Amipur through the services of Pahwa.

    "It is important to note that Robert Vadra also bought three parcels of land in Amipur from [the same] HL Pahwa in 2005 and 2006, and in December 2010 he sold Pahwa the same parcels of land measuring 334 kanals (40.08 acres). Robert Vadra's wife, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, bought 40 kanals (5 acres) of agricultural land from Pahwa in the village of Amipur in April 2006 and sold it to Pahwa in February 2010" the charge sheet stated.

    According to the ED, Sanjay Bhandari bought a house in London in December 2009 and used Robert Vadra's money to remodel it. Vadra is said to have visited the home three or four times.