Priyanka Gandhi's name - mentioned in the Tampi money laundering case

Priyanka Gandhi's name was first linked to a money laundering case involving non-resident Indian businessman CH. Tumpy. According to the newspaper, the Centre for Economic Offences (ER) has now mentioned the Congress leader's name in a case that already includes the name of her husband Robert Vadra. The agency has pointed out her role in the purchase of a 40 kanal (five acre) plot of land in Haryana's Faridabad from a Delhi-based real estatedeveloper.

"Former Congress president Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law Robert Vadra and his daughter Priyanka Gandhi Vadra purchased land in Haryana through a Delhi-based real estate agent, who also sold the land to a non-resident Indian businessman Ch. Thampi," the Agency said in a statement.

The name of Cheruvathur Chakuti Thampi, a UAE-based businessman, was mentioned as an intermediary in the case. He was arrested in 2020 but is currently free on bail.

The case centers around the alleged actions of fugitive arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari, who fled India in 2006. Indian authorities are investigating money laundering, violation of foreign exchange laws and the Official Secrets Act.

The ER stated that "real estatedeveloper H.L. Pahwa sold the properties to both Vadra and Thampi, receiving cash for the purchase of a piece of land in Haryana, which was not accounted for on the books, and Vadra did not pay the full amount for the properties." "Pahwa also acquired land from Priyanka Gandhi in 2006 and bought it back from her in 2010," the charge sheet added.

Allegedly, Thampi told ER that he had known Robert Vadra for over a decade and that they had met on many occasions. The agency claimed that Thampi is a "close associated person" of Vadra.

Vadra, Priyanka Gandhi's husband, was earlier investigated in the case by the agency. He has consistently denied any illegal activity.

Download the Economic Times News app to get daily market updates and up-to-date business news. Subscribe to Economic Times Prime and read the ET online.