The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a supplementary prosecution complaint against businessman Robert Vadra in a money laundering investigation linked to UK-based arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari. The chargesheet, filed before Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court on November 15, 2025, marks the second such action against Vadra, husband of Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, intensifying scrutiny on his alleged financial dealings and overseas property connections.
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Overview of the ED Charges
The Enforcement Directorate’s latest chargesheet accuses Robert Vadra of assisting UK-based arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari in “retaining and using” a London property located at 12 Bryanston Square. This supplementary prosecution complaint follows an extensive investigation that began with Income Tax raids in 2016, which uncovered emails and documents allegedly linking Vadra to overseas assets.
According to ED officials, the agency has evidence suggesting that Vadra played an active role in the acquisition, renovation, and beneficial use of the London property valued at approximately 1.9 million pounds (around Rs 22 crore). The chargesheet claims that Vadra assisted Bhandari in concealing the proceeds of crime through this property transaction.
The case will be heard on December 6, 2025, when the special PMLA (Prevention of Money Laundering Act) court will decide whether to take cognisance of the chargesheet. This marks a critical juncture in the long-running investigation that has shadowed Vadra for nearly a decade.
Who Is Robert Vadra?
Robert Vadra, 56, is a businessman and the husband of Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, making him the son-in-law of former Congress president Sonia Gandhi and brother-in-law of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi. His proximity to India’s most prominent political family has made him a subject of intense public and investigative scrutiny.
Business Ventures and Controversies
Vadra’s business career has been marked by rapid wealth accumulation, particularly through real estate dealings. He founded Skylight Hospitality, a company involved in multiple land transactions in Haryana and Rajasthan during the UPA government’s tenure between 2004 and 2014.
Over the years, several controversies have emerged around his business dealings, with opposition parties alleging that he benefited from his political connections. The current ED investigation is not his first brush with investigative agencies – he was previously questioned in connection with a 2008 land deal in Gurugram’s Shikohpur village.
Political Connections
Vadra married Priyanka Gandhi in 1997, establishing ties with the Nehru-Gandhi family. While he has maintained that his business success is independent of political influence, critics have questioned the timing and nature of several high-value transactions that occurred during Congress-led governments.
The Sanjay Bhandari Connection
Sanjay Bhandari, 63, is a UK-based defense and arms consultant who fled India in 2016 following Income Tax department raids on his premises. In July 2025, a Delhi court declared him a fugitive economic offender, allowing authorities to seize his assets worth approximately Rs 655 crore.
Black Money Investigation
The ED filed a criminal case against Bhandari and others under the PMLA in February 2017, taking cognisance of an Income Tax chargesheet filed under the Black Money (Undisclosed Foreign Income and Assets) and Imposition of Tax Act, 2015. The investigation revealed that Bhandari had concealed foreign assets, specifically foreign bank accounts and London properties.
According to the ED, undisclosed foreign income or assets held by Bhandari were valued at Rs 655 crore, with total tax evaded (including penalty and interest) estimated at Rs 196 crore. His extradition request from India was turned down by a UK court, allowing him to remain in London.
Alleged Links With Vadra
The connection between Bhandari and Vadra emerged from digital data recovered during the 2016 Income Tax raids. Emails found in Bhandari’s possession allegedly revealed complete details of properties in London, including the Bryanston Square address, with references to Robert Vadra and his assistant Manoj Arora.
Investigators claim these emails demonstrate that Vadra was “beneficially controlling” the London property, responsible for its financing and renovation, and stayed there on multiple occasions during visits to London.
London Property At The Center of Investigation
The property at 12 Bryanston Square in London, valued at 1.9 million pounds, has become the focal point of the ED’s money laundering investigation against Vadra. The agency alleges that while the property was officially acquired by Sanjay Bhandari in 2009, the funds for the purchase were provided by Robert Vadra.
Property Transaction Details
ED sources have stated that the Bryanston Square property was not only financed by Vadra but was also renovated according to his specific directions. The agency claims to have evidence showing that intermediaries connected to Vadra coordinated the renovation work.
The investigation also covers the role of NRI businessman CC Thampi, who is believed to have facilitated certain property transactions through a Dubai-based company. This adds another layer of complexity to the case, suggesting an international network used to route funds and acquire assets.
Evidence From Email Records
The digital evidence recovered from Bhandari’s premises includes detailed email correspondence about the property. These communications reportedly discuss renovation plans, financial arrangements, and usage of the property by Vadra during his London visits.
The ED has classified these London properties as “proceeds of crime” under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. The agency has already attached multiple properties in India said to be linked to Vadra or entities associated with him, claiming they represent proceeds generated through Bhandari’s offshore dealings.
Timeline of the ED Investigation
The investigation into Robert Vadra’s alleged financial irregularities spans nearly a decade, with multiple developments and twists.
2016: Income Tax Raids
The case began on September 22, 2016, when the Income Tax Department sent a letter to the ED detailing findings from raids on Sanjay Bhandari’s premises. On February 9, 2017, another letter from the Income Tax Office in Jhandewalan stated that Bhandari had concealed foreign assets, including foreign bank accounts and a London property.
2017: PMLA Case Filed
On April 3, 2018, the Income Tax department received approval under Section 55 to prosecute Sanjay Bhandari under Section 51(1) of the Black Money Act, 2015. This crime also falls under the “Scheduled Offence” category under the PMLA, allowing the ED to initiate its investigation.
2018-2019: Vadra Questioned
Robert Vadra was questioned by the ED multiple times in connection with the Bhandari-linked case. In July 2019, he was questioned for five hours by the agency regarding his role in the London property transactions and his connection with Bhandari.
July 2025: First Chargesheet
The ED filed its first money laundering chargesheet against Vadra and 11 others in connection with alleged irregularities in a land deal in Haryana’s Shikohpur. This case involved a 3.53-acre plot in Gurgaon’s Sector 83 that was allegedly purchased below market value and later sold to real estate major DLF for Rs 58 crore.
November 2025: Second Chargesheet
The supplementary prosecution complaint filed on November 15, 2025, specifically names Vadra as an accused in the Sanjay Bhandari black money case, with the next hearing scheduled for December 6, 2025.
Political Implications For Congress
The ED’s action against Robert Vadra comes at a politically sensitive time, with significant implications for the Congress party and the Gandhi family.
Timing and Political Context
The chargesheet was filed just months after Priyanka Gandhi Vadra was elected as a Member of Parliament representing Wayanad constituency in Kerala. Critics of the ED have questioned the timing of the action, suggesting it may be politically motivated to embarrass the Congress leadership.
The Congress party has historically maintained that investigative actions against Vadra are part of a “political vendetta” by the ruling BJP government. Party leaders have argued that despite years of investigations, no concrete evidence of wrongdoing has been established in court.
Impact on Gandhi Family
The allegations against Vadra inevitably cast a shadow on Priyanka Gandhi’s political career and the broader Gandhi family. Opposition parties have used these investigations to question the integrity of Congress leadership, particularly during election campaigns.
However, the Congress has consistently defended Vadra, arguing that he is being “hounded and harassed” due to his family connections rather than any actual evidence of criminal activity. The party maintains that all financial transactions were legitimate and properly documented.
Public Perception
Public opinion on the case remains divided along political lines. BJP supporters view the ED investigation as necessary accountability for alleged corruption during the UPA era, while Congress supporters see it as political persecution designed to weaken opposition leadership.
Robert Vadra’s Response and Defense
Throughout the investigation, Robert Vadra has consistently denied all allegations against him, characterizing the probe as politically motivated harassment.
Denial of London Property Ownership
Vadra has repeatedly stated that he does not own any property in London, either directly or indirectly. He has questioned the ED’s interpretation of documents recovered during the investigation, arguing that the emails and communications being cited as evidence do not prove ownership or beneficial control.
Claims of Political Vendetta
In various public statements and social media posts, Vadra has maintained that he is being targeted due to his relationship with the Gandhi family. He has described the investigations as “politically motivated” attempts to discredit the Congress party and its leadership.
Vadra has also questioned why, despite years of investigations and multiple rounds of questioning, no substantial evidence has been presented in court leading to conviction. He argues that the prolonged nature of the investigation itself demonstrates the lack of concrete proof.
Legal Strategy
Vadra’s legal team has challenged various aspects of the ED investigation, including the agency’s jurisdiction and the validity of evidence presented. They have also sought to question the credibility of documents recovered from Sanjay Bhandari, arguing that digital records can be manipulated.
As the December 6 court hearing approaches, Vadra’s lawyers are expected to argue against cognisance of the chargesheet, presenting counter-evidence and questioning the prosecution’s case.
Summary
The ED’s supplementary chargesheet against Robert Vadra in the Sanjay Bhandari black money case represents a significant escalation in the long-running investigation into his financial dealings. The allegations center on a London property at Bryanston Square, which the ED claims was beneficially controlled by Vadra despite being officially owned by arms dealer Bhandari.
This is the second money laundering chargesheet filed against Vadra, following an earlier case related to land deals in Haryana. The investigation has political ramifications for the Congress party and the Gandhi family, particularly given Priyanka Gandhi Vadra’s recent election to Parliament.
While Vadra has consistently denied wrongdoing and characterized the investigation as political persecution, the ED maintains it has substantial evidence linking him to proceeds of crime. The December 6 court hearing will be crucial in determining whether the case proceeds to trial.
The outcome of this case could have far-reaching implications not only for Vadra personally but also for perceptions of accountability and political interference in investigative processes in India. As the legal battle unfolds, it will continue to dominate headlines and political discourse in the country.
