Robert Vadra gets bail in ₹58 crore land deal money laundering case

Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court grants bail to Robert Vadra on ₹50,000 surety; businessman slams ED, claiming federal agency acts on central government's orders.

In a major legal development, Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court on Saturday granted bail to businessman Robert Vadra in a money laundering case linked to the controversial 2008 Shikohpur land deal scam in Gurugram.

Special Judge Sushant Changotra granted the relief to Vadra upon furnishing a bail bond of ₹50,000 and one surety of the like amount. Vadra, who is the husband of Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, appeared in person before the court on Saturday morning in response to summons issued to him last month. The central probe agency had filed its prosecution complaint under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) without arresting him during the investigation stage.

No extra conditions imposed by court

During the brief courtroom proceedings, the court clarified that no additional restrictions or conditions were being placed on the businessman while granting bail. “I am asking to file a bail bond, not any other considerations,” the special judge observed.

Representing the federal anti-money laundering agency online, ED counsel Zoheb Hossain informed the bench that a formal status report was being filed. The agency requested a two-week window to submit a more comprehensive status report, noting that further layers of the transaction are still being investigated. The court subsequently listed the matter for further hearing on July 10.

Agency acting on government orders: Vadra

Speaking to reporters outside the court complex shortly after securing relief, Vadra maintained his innocence and launched a scathing attack on the federal agency. He alleged that the ongoing legal offensive is politically motivated.

"I believe in the judicial system of the country. I know the Enforcement Directorate is being managed by the Government and the ED will keep on going on the instructions of the Government. I have nothing to hide. I am always going to be here and answer all the questions," Vadra said, describing himself as "fearless."

Roots of the 2008 Shikohpur deal

The political and legal storm traces back to February 2008, when Vadra’s firm, Skylight Hospitality Private Limited, bought 3.5 acres of land in Shikohpur village, Gurugram, from Omkareshwar Properties for ₹7.5 crore.

The transaction occurred during the tenure of the Congress government in Haryana, led by then Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda. Shortly after the purchase, the Hooda administration granted a commercial colony development licence for the land. Within months, Skylight Hospitality sold the same parcel of land to real estate giant DLF for ₹58 crore, netting a profit of roughly ₹50 crore.

Mutation cancellation and subsequent FIR

The deal first ran into official headwinds in 2012 when whistleblower IAS officer Ashok Khemka, then serving as the Director of Land Registration in Haryana, cancelled the land mutation. Khemka flagged severe procedural irregularities, alleging that rules were bypassed to fast-track the commercial licence.

Six years later, in September 2018, the Haryana Police registered a comprehensive criminal case against Vadra, Hooda, DLF, and Omkareshwar Properties under various sections of the IPC, including fraud, forgery, and criminal conspiracy. The ED subsequently stepped in, initiating a parallel PMLA probe based on the police FIR to track the alleged "proceeds of crime."

Allegations of systemic irregularities

The ED’s prosecution complaint alleges that the initial ₹7.5 crore payment was a sham, asserting that the cheque cited in the sale deed was never actually encashed. The agency suspects Omkareshwar Properties functioned as a shell entity.

Furthermore, investigators allege that the Hooda administration tailored policies to favor DLF, citing a separate 350-acre land allocation in Wazirabad through which the developer allegedly reaped windfall gains worth ₹5,000 crore. While Vadra has moved the Delhi High Court challenging the trial court's decision to take cognisance of the ED chargesheet—a matter slated for hearing on May 18—Saturday's bail order ensures immediate relief from arrest for the high-profile businessman.

Delhi Court Grants Bail to I-PAC Co-Founder Vinesh Chandel in Money Laundering Case

ED raises no objection as court releases Vinesh Kumar Chandel on regular bail a day after West Bengal polls begin, citing cooperation in probe linked to alleged coal pilferage.

A Delhi court on Thursday granted regular bail to Vinesh Kumar Chandel, director and co-founder of the Indian Political Action Committee (I-PAC), in a money laundering case being investigated by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). The agency informed the court it had no objection to his release.

Additional Sessions Judge Amit Bansal of the Patiala House Courts allowed the plea after taking on record the investigating officer’s statement. The court noted Chandel’s cooperation with the probe so far.

Bail Terms and Conditions

The court granted bail on a personal bond of ₹2 lakh with a surety of the same amount. Standard conditions were imposed: Chandel cannot leave the country without prior permission, must not tamper with evidence, and has to continue cooperating with the investigation. The detailed order is expected to be uploaded shortly.

Senior advocate Vikas Pahwa, assisted by advocate Abhishek Mishra, represented Chandel in the matter.

This development came just a day after the commencement of polling in the West Bengal Assembly elections, where I-PAC has played a significant role in supporting the Trinamool Congress (TMC) campaign machinery.

Earlier Rejection of Interim Bail

Only days earlier, the same court had turned down Chandel’s application for interim bail. The judge had stressed that relief under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) is not granted routinely, especially given the stringent provisions of Section 45.

Chandel had cited his 74-year-old mother’s dementia and other family health issues, including hypertension and related conditions. However, the court found no evidence of sudden life-threatening emergency or acute deterioration that would justify immediate release. Medical documents were deemed insufficient, and the presence of other family members, including his wife and brother, was noted as adequate support.

The court had also highlighted the serious nature of the allegations involving economic offences.

Background of the Case

Chandel was arrested by the ED on April 13 in Delhi in connection with a money laundering probe stemming from an alleged coal pilferage case in West Bengal. He was later sent to 14 days of judicial custody on April 23 after the expiry of ED remand. The case traces back to an ECIR registered on March 28, based on an FIR by the Economic Offences Wing.

According to the ED, proceeds of crime from the coal scam—running into crores—were allegedly laundered through structured transactions, including splitting of accounted and unaccounted cash, bogus invoices, and hawala channels. I-PAC Consulting Pvt Ltd and its directors, including Chandel who holds a significant stake, came under scrutiny for their alleged role in concealing and layering such funds. Initial probes pointed to around ₹20 crore or more being routed through such networks.

Raids were conducted earlier at multiple locations linked to I-PAC officials across cities.

I-PAC’s Role in TMC’s Campaign Strategy

I-PAC gained prominence for its data-driven approach in the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections, where it helped shape TMC’s organisational strategy under Mamata Banerjee. The firm handled aspects ranging from candidate selection and booth-level micro-management to crafting speeches, social media content, posters, and slogans.

In the run-up to the 2026 polls, I-PAC reportedly analysed booth-level data from previous elections, categorising seats by strength and margins. Seats with narrow victories up to 15,000 votes received special attention. The team was also involved in monitoring Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls, deploying shadow agents to assist voters facing deletions, and providing real-time ground inputs through a dedicated team that organised small-scale meetings.

The firm’s deep involvement had made it a key pillar of TMC’s election machinery, though the party has developed internal capacities over the years to handle data and outreach.

Political Timing and Reactions

The arrest, which came weeks before the polls, triggered strong reactions from TMC leaders, who questioned the timing and described the ED action as politically motivated. The development added another layer of tension in what is already a keenly contested election in the state.

With Chandel’s release on regular bail, the focus now shifts to the continuation of the investigation. The ED’s decision not to oppose bail has been noted, though the agency retains the right to pursue the case further.

Legal experts point out that while bail has been granted, the underlying PMLA case involves serious allegations that could have implications for the financial trail being examined. Chandel is expected to remain bound by the court’s conditions as the probe proceeds.

The case continues to draw attention not just for its legal merits but also for its intersection with the high-stakes political battle in West Bengal. Further developments, including the uploading of the detailed bail order, are awaited.