The agency, in its prosecution complaint, has alleged that Vadra received ₹58 crore of proceeds of crime via two channels, people in the know told ET. The agency has claimed that ₹53 crore was routed through M/s Sky Light Hospitality Private Limited (Vadra’s firm). Another ₹5 crore was allegedly routed through M/s Blue Breeze Trading Private Limited (BBTPL), ED has alleged.
It has further submitted in its prosecution complaint that these proceeds of crime were allegedly utilised by Vadra to acquire immovable properties, make investments, advance funds/loans, and settle liabilities of his various group companies. The agency has further alleged that its probe has uncovered “significant irregularities” in the commercial licence granted to Vadra’s company M/s Sky Light Hospitality Pvt Ltd. (SLHPL).
ED has claimed that despite the application stating 3.53 acres, only 1.35 acres were available for commercial licensing, below the 2-acre minimum. Nevertheless, Directorate of Town and Country Planning (DTCP) officials in Chandigarh proceeded with the application by including land designated for a sector road, people in the know said.
As part of its investigation, ED has recorded statements from DTCP officials, who in their testimonies have told the agency that pressure was exerted from higher authorities to accelerate the process. “The file also showed backdating and alterations to the sector road plan to help M/s SLHPL qualify for the license,” people quoted above added.
With regard to the alleged offence pertaining to evasion of alleged stamp duty, ED has highlighted that the sale deed for the Shikohpur land transaction contained a false statement regarding the payment, stating it was received via cheque when it was not. Significantly, it has invoked Section 70 of the PMLA, 2002, which pertains to offences by companies. Vadra has repeatedly denied the allegations against him.Last Wednesday, the agency also provisionally attached 43 immovable properties amounting to ₹37.64 crore linked to Vadra and his entities, i.e, M/s SLHPL & others.
The case dates to 2018 when an FIR was registered against Bhupinder Singh Hooda, Haryana chief minister from 2005 to 2014, as well as against Vadra and real estate companies DLF and Onkareshwar Properties on charges of alleged criminal conspiracy, cheating, fraud and forgery under the provisions of the Prevention of Corruption Act.
