The Rouse Avenue Court has fixed September 20 to hear ED’s prosecution complaint against Robert Vadra in the Gurugram land deal case. The ED alleges it is a “clear and classic case of money laundering.”
New Delhi: On August 28, the Rouse Avenue Court has listed September 20 as the date to hear submissions on whether to take cognisance of the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) prosecution complaint against Robert Vadra and other accused persons in a money laundering case linked to a controversial land deal in Gurugram’s Shikohpur village.
On Thursday, counsels for the proposed accused appeared through video conferencing after a notice was issued by the court on August 2. Special Judge Sushant Changotra directed that arguments on cognisance will be heard on the scheduled date.
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Earlier, on August 2, the court had issued notice to Vadra and others at the pre-cognisance stage, after the ED filed its prosecution complaint. The court also directed the ED to provide a copy of the charge sheet to all the proposed accused.
Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) Naveen Kumar Matta along with advocate Mohd. Faizar appeared for the ED. During earlier hearings, on July 24, the ED strongly argued that
“it is a clear and classic case of money laundering.”
The agency said that the
“proceeds of crime were used to acquire immovable properties.”
The ED also told the court that
“the evidence conclusively established that the offence of money laundering, where proceeds of Crime (PoC) are generated, layered ana enjoyed.”
According to the ED,
“it is a clear and classic case of money laundering, the ED added. There is a generation of proceeds of crime.”
The probe agency submitted that the investigation revealed
“the source of the proceeds of crime and false statements in a land deal were found.”
The ED further stated that Skylight Hospitality, a company linked to Vadra, had purchased land in Gurugram:
“Skylight Hospitality purchased Iand measuring 3 acres worth of crores. There were false declarations in the sale deed that Rs. 7.5 crore has been paid when no money was paid. It was paic later to avoid stamp duty. This is corroborated by key witnesses, as submitted by the ED’s special counsel.”
ED’s special counsel Zoheb Hossain also made strong submissions, saying that
“the first layer of proceeds of crime was generated through Skylight Hospitality, whose 99 per cent shares are held by Vadra.”
He further pointed out that
“Rs 7.50 crore is shown as the price of approximately 3 acres of land purchased by Skylight through a cheque, which was never encashed.”
The ED said that this land was later sold to real estate major DLF for a higher value. “This part is still being scrutinised,” the ED added.
The court was also informed that the land licence process was manipulated.
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Hossain told the court,
“The application for a licence was processed in haste without following the procedure, as stated by witnesses,”
He also referred to the testimony of another witness:
“Special counsel had also referred to the Statment of Satyanand Yajee, Director of Omkareshwar properties. He knowingly assisted in generating the proceeds of crime. Yajee knowingly assisted the company of Vad ra in acquiring the proceeds of crime.”
According to the ED,
“the enjoyment of the proceeds of crime continued until July 2025, at the time of provisional attachment. Money Laundering continues to this day during arguments. It is a continuing activity as long as the person enjoys the PoC.”
The agency argued further that
“the use of PoC continued through the 7 properties, which were purchased using the proceeds of crime, The enjoyment of the PoC continued until the properties were attached, the ED said.”
Hossain also submitted that Vadra’s dominant ownership makes him directly liable under the PMLA:
“Therefore, he is vicariously liable also apart from his individual role. He was the majority shareholder, with a stake of up to 99 per cent, beneficial owner, and actual owner, as well as a director of companies, the ED said.”
The prosecution complaint filed on July 17, 2025, names 11 individuals and entities, including Vadra, his company M/s Skylight Hospitality Pvt. Ltd., Satyanand Yajee, and Kewal Singh Virk.
This case originally started with an FIR lodged by Gurugram Police, which alleged that on February 12, 2008, Vadra’s company Skylight Hospitality purchased 3.53 acres of land in Shikohpur from Omkareshwar Properties Pvt. Ltd. using fraudulent means.
The complaint further claimed that false declarations were made to complete the acquisition and that a commercial licence was quickly granted using Vadra’s personal influence.
As part of its ongoing investigation under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the ED has also issued a Provisional Attachment Order on July 16, 2025, seizing 43 immovable properties worth about Rs. 37.64 crore. These properties are allegedly linked to Vadra and associated entities, including Skylight Hospitality.
With the matter now set for September 20, the court will hear detailed submissions on whether cognisance should be taken of the ED’s prosecution complaint against Vadra and the other accused persons.
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