New Delhi: A day after it was reported that the government is investigating whether an arms dealer bought a benami London home for Robert Vadra, the inquiry has expanded to the tax haven of the British Virgin Islands and Dubai.
Mr Vadra's lawyers have denied the allegations, and his mother-in-law, Congress chief Sonia Gandhi, said they are the latest example of the government fabricating charges against her party.
Government sources say that they believe that the house in London, bought in 2009 and sold a year later, was bought by a shell company incorporated in the British Virgin Islands by defence dealer, Sanjay Bhandari.
Two properties allegedly bought by him in Dubai for 24 crores are also being studied to determine who paid for them, and how. Investigators claim they are suspicious of a company named Skylite associated with the purchases; they say they have asked Dubai authorities to share information on the firm's ownership.
Mr Bhandari has ducked summons to appear for questioning yesterday and today, claiming he is unwell and needs a week-long respite, according to tax officials.
Last month, 18 properties including his home were raided, and though he allegedly tried to destroy his Blackberry handset, investigators were able to recover data from it and his computers. They claim they found emails sent by Mr Vadra and his executive assistant, Manoj Arora, in which they discuss payments in connection with the London home as also its interiors, including a reference to chandeliers.
Last month, 18 properties including his home were raided, and though he allegedly tried to destroy his Blackberry handset, investigators were able to recover data from it and his computers. They claim they found emails sent by Mr Vadra and his executive assistant, Manoj Arora, in which they discuss payments in connection with the London home as also its interiors, including a reference to chandeliers.
The authenticity of the emails couldn't be confirmed.
One of them, dated April 4, 2010, discusses organizing a payment, is addressed to Sumit Chadda, a relative of the arms dealer in London, and is signed off "Cheers, Robert Vadra", according to the report given by investigators to the Finance Ministry.
Mr Bhandari, investigators say, has said that he needs to consult the title deed of the home to determine the beneficiary of its sale.
Mr Bhandari, sources said, is being investigated for myriad financial crimes including allegedly running a matrix of 35 shell companies. According to investigators, he was linked to money-laundering firms that helped political parties ahead of the last state election in Delhi.
He set up OIS in 2008 with a paid up capital of just one lakh rupees; its accelerated growth to a multi-crore company is being scrutinized.
He was also charged with tax evasion while importing luxury cars.
Mr Bhandari, sources said, is being investigated for myriad financial crimes including allegedly running a matrix of 35 shell companies. According to investigators, he was linked to money-laundering firms that helped political parties ahead of the last state election in Delhi.
He set up OIS in 2008 with a paid up capital of just one lakh rupees; its accelerated growth to a multi-crore company is being scrutinized.
He was also charged with tax evasion while importing luxury cars.
(NDTV)
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