The Enforcement Directorate of India (ED) stated Tuesday that it has filed a supplementary prosecution complaint incorporating allegations against Robert Vadra. Vadra is the spouse of Priyanka Gandhi, the General Secretary of the Indian National Congress, the largest opposition party in India.
The ED press release stated that it has filed a Supplementary Prosecution Complaint against Non-Resident Indian (NRI) CC Thampi—who is based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE)—and UK national Sumit Chadha under the anti-money laundering law Prevention of Money Laundering Act in a special court. An NRI is an individual of Indian origin or nationality who resides outside India for a specified period.
The investigation, triggered by Income Tax Department actions, exposed undisclosed foreign assets of one Sanjay Bhandari, which implicated Thampi and Chadha. Bhandari faces extradition on the charges. Additionally, properties worth Rs. 26.55 Crore (USD 3.1 million) were attached. Thampi, linked to Robert Vadra, was involved in property dealings with Vadra and financial transactions. The court is said to have taken formal cognizance of the complaint. ED further stated that ongoing investigations aim to uncover more details.
The ED originated in 1956 as an enforcement unit under the Department of Economic Affairs in India, focusing on violations of the Foreign Exchange Regulation Act. Renamed in 1957, it expanded with branches and shifted administrative control to the Department of Revenue by 1960. Evolving with legislative changes, it adapted to the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) in June 2000 and gained enforcement responsibilities for the PMLA from July 2005. With the enactment of the Fugitive Economic Offenders Act (FEOA) in April 2018, ED was assigned enforcement duties to address economic offenders.
Commenting on the situation, Chairman of the Media & Publicity Department of All India Congress Committee Pawan Khera said, “Observe their actions leading up to the elections; this is just the start. Engaging in such conspiracies as elections draw near is not a new occurrence. Let them carry out their conspiracies.”
India is anticipated to conduct general elections for the lower house of its Parliament, Lok Sabha, by selecting 543 members. The election is expected to occur sometime between April and May 2024. The general elections are responsible for the selection of the country’s prime minister as well.
