‘Hi Robert, any update on some funds…’: ED says this mail reveals Vadra’s London deal

Within 24 hours, businessman Robert Vadra has spent over 8 hours at the Enforcement Directorate in New Delhi. On Wednesday, the ED officials grilled him in a marathon session. The son-in-law of UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi returned to the ED office today for further questioning. While Vadra has been refusing any links with arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari and his relative Sumit Chadha, the ED officials think otherwise. According to the probe agency, a mail reveals the extent of dealings between all three in the money laundering case. News Nation has the very 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).”

 

News Nation accesses key mail that ED says proves suspicious cash transactions between #RobertVadra and #SanjayBhandari's relative Sumit Chadha.

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Chadha goes on to say that he was doing the job as a favour. “As you are aware I am not doing this project for any commercial gain only to complete a task taken on a favour & my ability to complete without unnecessary stress will be greatly assisted if I can be given some clear assurances & timelines on when I will be reimbursed,” Chadha wrote. 

Contrary to what Vadra has been claiming the mail shows that Chadha renovated the London property on his order. “I have commenced completion of all the remaining structural works at the property in relation to the floors, bathrooms & heating systems. All materials have been procured & installation has begun of the wooden floors, hope to have full team on site to install bathrooms from middle of next week as good news is that I have been able to arrange express delivery of the majority of core bathroom fittings,” Chadha wrote. 

To this, Vadra has replied from his Yahoo account. “Was not aware that nothing had reached you. Will look into it in the morning and let Manoj sort it out. Will be in London soon. You take care,” Vadra wrote.   

On Wednesday, Vadra, the son-in-law of UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi was questioned by Enforcement Directorate (ED) in New Delhi for six hours in its money laundering probe into alleged possession of illegal foreign assets, days after he was directed by a city court to appear before the central probe agency. Vadra's wife Priyanka Gandhi accompanied him in a white Toyota Land Cruiser and dropped him outside the ED's office in Jamnagar House, in a move seen as sending a political message to Congress' opponents ahead of Lok Sabha polls. Shortly after, Priyanka took charge as AICC general secretary in-charge of Uttar Pradesh East, a fortnight after her formal induction into the Congress party on January 23.

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

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?