Congress MP Rahul Gandhi has backed his brother-in-law - businessman Robert Vadra - after the Enforcement Directorate filed a chargesheet in a money laundering case linked to a Gurugram real estate deal. "My brother-in-law has been hounded by this government for the last 10 years... this latest chargesheet is a continuation of that witch hunt," Mr Gandhi said on X.
"I stand with Robert, Priyanka (Gandhi Vadra, the Congress MP from Wayanad) and their children as they face yet another onslaught of malicious, politically motivated slander and harassment."
"I know they are all brave enough to withstand any kind of persecution and they will continue to do so with dignity. The truth will eventually prevail," Rahul Gandhi said.
Mr Gandhi's social media post follows the Congress party also backing Robert Vadra.
READ | "Witch-Hunt": Congress On Probe Agency's Action Against Robert Vadra
General Secretary Randeep Surjewala told reporters " there is not an iota of illegality" in the land deal in question, and demanded to know when buying and selling land had been made illegal.
The Enforcement Directorate filed its chargesheet Thursday afternoon.
READ | Probe Agency's 1st Chargesheet Against Robert Vadra In Gurugram Case
It names Mr Vadra and his company, Sky Light Hospitality Pvt Ltd, and is in reference to the alleged fraudulent purchase of 3.53 acres of land in Gurugram's Sector 83 in February 2008.
The federal agency claims fake documents were used to facilitate and complete the purchase, and Mr Vadra then secured a commercial licence thanks to his position of power.
On July 16 the agency had attached 43 properties - worth approximately Rs 37.64 crore - belonging to Mr Vadra, Sky Light Hospitality, and others named in the chargesheet.
In a brief but forceful statement, Mr Vadra's office called the chargesheet "an extension of the political witch hunt by the present government against him", and said the businessman would nevertheless, as he always had, "continue to extend his fullest cooperation to the authorities".
"... he is confident the truth will prevail and he will be cleared of wrongdoing... he is looking forward to the opportunity to defend himself and clear his name in court," the statement said.
