Robert Vadra questioned by ED for third straight day

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday questioned businessman Robert Vadra - husband of Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra - for the third straight day in connection with its money laundering probe into Shikohpur land deal in Haryana.

Vadra, who was questioned for nearly seven and six hours on Tuesday and Wednesday respectively, told reporters after Thursday's session that the agency had asked him "no new questions" and only repeated old ones. Sources told ET the agency is now identifying properties acquired as "proceeds of crime," which may include assets linked to Vadra. ED is expected to wrap up its probe within two months and file a prosecution complaint - the equivalent of a chargesheet - to initiate trial proceedings.

Fresh inputs from Haryana Police recently prompted the ED to summon Vadra again, officials said. According to the agency, the then Bhupinder Singh Hooda-led state government overlooked key deficiencies while granting Vadra's firm permission to develop a housing project.

It is alleged that in February 2008, Skylight Hospitality, which Vadra had launched in 2007 with a capital of Rs one lakh, bought about 3.5 acres of land in Manesar-Shikohpur in Gurgaon from Onkareshwar Properties for ₹7.5 crore. The plot was mutated in favour of Skylight the next day, and the title of the land was reportedly transferred to Vadra within 24 hours of the purchase.