Delhi High Court reserves order on PIL against Robert Vadra’s firms

New Delhi, July 9: The Delhi high court on Wednesday reserved its order on maintainability of a PIL seeking a court-monitored Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into various land deals allegedly entered into by Congress President Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law Robert Vadra firms.

A bench of chief justice G. Rohini and justice R.S. Endlaw, which had so far not issued a notice on the PIL, reserved its order after hearing brief arguments of advocate M.L. Sharma, who had filed the plea in his personal capacity. "First satisfy us on the issue of jurisdiction of this court," the bench said.

The cause of action partially had arisen in Delhi as various offices and constitutional bodies such as Prime Minister's Office (PMO), Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) and ministry of urban development are located here, the lawyer said.

Vadra has written to the Corporate Affairs Ministry to shut down six of his companies. He has said that the companies have not been doing any business.

"I have already given a representation to CBI. But it neither registered an FIR nor lodged even a preliminary enquiry in the case which relates to huge loss caused to the exchequer during 2005 to 2012," he said.

He also submitted a copy of a recent Supreme Court judgement which directs police authorities to register an FIR "mandatorily" if the allegations disclose the commission of a cognizable offence.

The plea has also sought a probe into grant of licenses to change land use of agricultural plots purchased by Vadra companies in Gurgaon.

"Allegations being made are false, malicious, politically motivated, defamatory and for ulterior motives," Vadra said refuting allegations of money laundering any of his companies.

With agency inputs

OneIndia News