New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has suffered a major setback in the Shikohpur land deal case. On Saturday, Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court granted bail to Robert Vadra. Vadra appeared in the court after the summons. Taking cognizance of the ED charge sheet, Special Judge Sushant Changotra had issued a summons. The court gave unconditional relief and only asked for a bail bond.
Did the court give unconditional relief?
During the hearing, Judge Sushant Changotra clearly said that no additional conditions are being imposed while giving relief. He commented that he was asking to file a bail bond, not any other consideration. Vadra was only instructed to pay the bail bond. ED has made 9 people including Vadra accused in this case.
Has the ED filed a status report?
During the proceedings, ED lawyer Zoheb Hussain appeared through videoconferencing. He told the court that the agency is filing the status report in compliance with the court’s directions. He also asked for additional time of two weeks to file a detailed report regarding further investigation. ED says that it is still investigating some aspects and needs time to complete the process.
When will the next hearing of the case take place?
ED also told the court that Vadra has challenged the order of taking cognizance of the charge sheet in the Delhi High Court. After this, the trial court fixed the next hearing of the case on July 10. This case pertains to allegations of money laundering related to land transactions in Shikohpur Village of Haryana.
What is the Shikohpur land deal case?
This matter is from 2008. It is alleged that Skylight Hospitality, of which Robert Vadra was the director, had purchased 3.5 acres of land in Shikohpur for Rs 7.5 crore. A few months later, the same land was sold to DLF for Rs 58 crore. ED alleges that this entire transaction was part of money laundering. On this basis, the agency registered a case under PMLA and started an investigation.
What will be the political impact of this decision?
This relief is being considered a big legal and political victory for Congress. Since the 2024 Lok Sabha elections, the opposition has been continuously alleging misuse of central agencies. Vadra’s bail will now give the party an opportunity to say that ED’s case is weak. However, the ED investigation is still going on and the agency has to present its detailed report in the next hearing on July 10.
