The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has leveled serious allegations of corruption and money laundering against Robert Vadra, the businessman husband of Congress Member of Parliament Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, in connection with a controversial land transaction in the Shikohpur village of Gurugram. According to a prosecution complaint filed by the ED, Vadra is accused of illegally earning nearly Rs 58 crore through a complex web of land deals routed via his companies, a development that has sent ripples through both political and business circles in India.
The case, which has been brewing for several years, came to a head on August 10, 2025, when the ED formally charged Vadra under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The agency alleges that the illicit gains—amounting to Rs 58 crore—were funneled through two of Vadra’s companies: Sky Light Hospitality Pvt. Ltd. (SLHPL) and Blue Breeze Trading Pvt. Ltd. (BBTPL). Of the total, Rs 53 crore reportedly passed through SLHPL, while Rs 5 crore was routed via BBTPL. These funds, the ED claims, were then used to finance luxury living, property acquisitions, investments, and the repayment of debts across Vadra’s business empire.
The origins of the case trace back to alleged irregularities in the purchase, sale, and licensing of a 3.5-acre plot of land in Shikohpur, Gurugram. The plot was allegedly acquired by SLHPL for Rs 7.5 crore—an amount investigators say was only half of its actual market value. More troubling, according to the ED’s complaint, the payment for the land was recorded as being made by cheque, but the cheque was never actually encashed. This maneuver, the agency asserts, allowed Vadra’s company to evade Rs 45 lakh in stamp duty.
But the story doesn’t end there. The ED contends that the land was subsequently transferred to Onkareshwar Properties Pvt. Ltd. in exchange for securing a valuable commercial housing license from the then Chief Minister of Haryana, Bhupinder Singh Hooda. The property was later sold to real estate giant DLF Ltd. for a whopping Rs 58 crore. The agency claims this final sale was made possible only after documents were manipulated, dates were changed, and official maps were altered to suit the deal’s requirements. According to the News Arena Network, these alleged manipulations are at the heart of the corruption and fraud charges now facing Vadra and several other high-profile individuals, including Hooda, DLF Ltd., and Onkareshwar Properties.
In its detailed prosecution complaint, the ED told a special court in Delhi that the profits from these transactions were not left idle. Instead, they were allegedly used by Vadra to acquire immovable properties, make further investments, advance loans, and settle the outstanding liabilities of various group companies. The agency’s investigation has already led to the provisional attachment of 43 immovable assets valued at Rs 38.69 crore. These assets span a wide geographic area and include land in Bikaner, Rajasthan; commercial units in Good Earth City Centre, Gurugram; offices in Bestech Business Tower, Mohali; and residential flats in Jay Ambe Township, Ahmedabad, as well as properties in Noida and Faridabad.
The Special PMLA court in Delhi has now scheduled August 28, 2025, as the date to take cognizance of the ED’s complaint. In the meantime, the court has issued a notice to Vadra, setting the stage for what is likely to be a closely watched legal battle. If convicted under Section 4 of the PMLA, Vadra could face a maximum jail term of seven years and the confiscation of the attached properties.
The case itself stems from a First Information Report (FIR) filed by Haryana Police in September 2018. That FIR named Vadra, former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, DLF Ltd., and Onkareshwar Properties. The charges included fraud, criminal conspiracy, and corruption, all related to the alleged manipulation of the land transaction in Shikohpur. Investigators allege that the initial land purchase was deliberately structured to undervalue the property and evade government duties, with the subsequent licensing and sale to DLF forming the basis of the windfall profits now under scrutiny.
According to the ED, “these funds were utilized by Vadra to acquire immovable properties, make investments, advance loans, and settle liabilities of his various group companies.” The agency further stated, “properties identified as direct proceeds of crime include land in Bikaner, Rajasthan; units in Good Earth City Centre, Gurugram; units in Bestech Business Tower, Mohali and residential units in Jay Ambe Township, Ahmedabad.” These assertions form the backbone of the ED’s case, which is now before the special court.
The scale of the investigation is significant. The ED has provisionally attached 43 immovable properties, including land, flats, and commercial units, with a total value of Rs 38.69 crore. The agency’s complaint emphasizes that these assets are either directly linked to the alleged proceeds of crime or represent their value equivalent. If the court upholds the ED’s findings, not only could Vadra face years behind bars, but a substantial portion of his and his companies’ assets could be seized by the authorities.
For the Congress party, the case comes at a particularly sensitive time. With Priyanka Gandhi Vadra playing an increasingly prominent role in the party’s national strategy, the legal troubles of her husband have inevitably drawn political fire. Critics have pointed to the case as evidence of deeper systemic issues in land acquisition and licensing practices, while supporters argue that Vadra is being unfairly targeted for political gain. The case has also reignited debate over the role of powerful real estate interests and political connections in shaping India’s urban development landscape.
As the August 28 court date approaches, all eyes will be on the special PMLA court in Delhi. The outcome of the proceedings could have far-reaching implications—not just for Robert Vadra and those directly implicated, but for the broader debate over corruption, transparency, and accountability in Indian public life. For now, the allegations remain just that: allegations. But with the ED’s investigation laying out a detailed and damning case, the coming weeks are likely to see new revelations and intensified scrutiny of the intersection between business, politics, and real estate in India.
Whatever the verdict, the Vadra land deal case serves as a stark reminder of the complexities and controversies that continue to surround major land transactions in the country, and the enduring challenge of ensuring clean governance in one of the world’s fastest-growing economies.
