Robert Vadra on question of joining politics: ‘No hurry, have to earn it’

Businessman Robert Vadra, who has been under ED scanner over his alleged links with absconding arms dealer, today hinted that he may well be joining politics in near future. In conversation with News Nation, when asked about his future in political world, Vadra said, “all in time!” However, he made it point to stress on the point that his entry into politics is likely to be a delayed event. “I will start working on it….But no hurry, have to earn it.” He also said that “people need to feel that I can make change.”

Meanwhile, a Delhi court on Monday directed the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to provide digital copy of documents seized during raids at Vadra's properties to him. The agency gave the soft copies of all the said documents to Vadra's counsel KTS Tulsi, in connection with money laundering case. Vadra had moved the Patiala House Court with an application to seek copies of the documents in possession of the central agency on Saturday. The court also directed the Enforcement Directorate to provide the hard copies of the documents to Robert Vadra's legal team within 5 days, in connection with the money laundering case.

Vadra, the brother-in-law of Congress president Rahul Gandhi, has been grilled by the investigating agency for questioning on multiple occasions in Delhi and Jaipur. Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s husband was questioned on three occasion in connection with ‘benami’ property in London. On previous occasions, Vadra was grilled for his alleged links with absconding arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari and his cousin Sumit Chadha. Vadra was grilled for about eight hours by ED officials. On another occasion, he was interrogated for about nine hours. Earlier, the questioning continued for more than five hours.

The ED has also asked Vadra to furnish income tax returnes from 2001 to 2014. News Nation also has the mail on which the ED is basing its probe. The mail is written by Chadha complaining about not receiving any ‘funds’ for the London house renovation. In the mail with ‘Brynston Sq’ written in subject line, Chadha rues over delay in payment. “Hi Robert, Hope all is well. Any update on when some funds will be sent, have not heard back from anyone and & would appreciate if you can let me know so I can plan my cash flows (sic).”

Here are some of the questions ED officials asked Robert Vadra on February 6:

1. Is London's 12 Brighton Squire property yours?

2. What’s your connection with the London property, why mails were sent to you regarding its renovation?

3. Is it right that the floor plan of this property was sent to you? In 2010, when these mails were coming to you, this property was with the arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari. Then why did the email come to you? Is this property linked to you?

4. A fund was also sought to build a property from you, and in response, you also responded to Sumit Chadda who had sent the mail. You had assured him for the fund, why were you arranging for the fund?

5. Why was the copy of every email sent to you was given to Sanjay Bhandari?

6. How do you know Sanjay Bhandari and Sumit Chadda?

7. Do you know the Indian national CC Thampi, who lives in Dubai, and who bought this property from Sanjay Bhandari?