Relief for Robert Vadra as Delhi court extends interim protection from arrest till March 19

A Delhi court on Saturday extended the interim protection from arrest granted to Robert Vadra till March 19 in a money laundering case lodged by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). Special judge Arvind Kumar granted the relief to Vadra, the brother-in-law of Congress president Rahul Gandhi. Vadra had on February 1 moved to Delhi court seeking anticipatory bail in the money laundering case lodged by the Enforcement Directorate (ED).

Earlier last month, Delhi's Patiala House Court had extended his interim protection from arrest to March 2, which expired today. During the hearing, the counsel for the Enforcement Directorate (ED) informed the court that Vadra was not cooperating in the case and opposed the extension.

The ED case against Vadra relates to allegations of money laundering in the purchase of a London-based property at 12, Bryanston Square worth GBP 1.9 million (British pounds), which is allegedly owned by him. According to the ED, Manoj Arora, an employee of Vadra's Skylight Hospitality LLP, is also an accused in the case. The ED had alleged that Arora was aware of the Vadra's overseas undeclared assets and was instrumental in arranging funds.

Vadra had accused that ED officials 'relentless harassment'. In a Facebook post written last month, Vadra said, "I have had nothing to hide and I am surely not above the law. I have deposed for almost 6 days; ranging from 8 to 12 hours per day with a 40 minutelunch break, n have been escorted to the washroom. I have completely cooperated and adhered to the rules whenever I was called in any part of the country. Attachment of my work place- my office n areas that are subjudiced, shows a complete misuse of assertion of power, a complete vindictive & vicious witch hunt.  When truth sustains n prevails, I suppose an apology is all that will suffice. Will stay determined for justice for me. (sic)"