More trouble for Robert Vadra? Haryana government seeks status of Vadra land deals

Gurgaon, Nov 21: The Haryana government has asked for the status of the land holdings of UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law Robert Vadra from four deputy commissioners (DCs) of the state including Gurgaon, Faridabad, Palwal and Mewat, an official said.

Taking action on the complaint of senior IAS officer Ashok Khemka who cancelled one of Vadra's land deals in Gurgaon, the director of land records and consolidation of holding sought the status reports.

"The land holdings of Robert Vadra in Haryana including those owned by his companies and his wife, prima facie exceeded the permissible limit prescribed under section 4 of the Haryana Land Holding Act 1972. The total land holding of a person or a family can not exceed 21.9 hectares (53.8 acres)," Khemka had said in his complaint.

"The land holdings of Vadra, including those owned by his companies and wife, prima facie exceeded the permissible limit Jan 9, 2008, when his cumulative land holding in Haryana reached 56.73 acres, which increased to 146.755 acres by Dec 7, 2009," Khemka said.

He added, "82.2 acres of land were subsequently sold to different parties between Feb 17, 2010 and Sept 27, 2012."

"Vadra, his companies and wife (Priyanka Gandhi Vadra) own nearly 62 acres in Hasanpur in Palwal, 47 acres in Amipur and over 3 acres in Kabulpur Khadar of Faridabad district, 28 acres in Shakarpuri in Mewat and over 3.5 acres in Shikohpur in Gurgaon," he further added saying that Vadra had over 99 per cent shares in four companies that hold the lands. These companies are Sky Light Realty, Sky Light Hospitality, Real Earth Estates and Blue Breeze Trading.

Gurgaon DC Shekhar Vidyarthi did not respond to phone calls and the official spokesperson of the district administration refused to comment.

The DCs are likely to submit their reports next week, a senior official, who did not wish to be named, told IANS.

IANS