ED Files Chargesheet Against NRI; Robert Vadra also named

The Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi has issued an open-ended non-bailable warrant (NBW) against UK national Sumit Chadha, who has recently been accused by the Enforcement Directorate in a money laundering case related to controversial arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari and others.

A Special Judge issued the order, stating, “At the request of the Directorate and given the report dated October 16, 2023, I am satisfied that the presence of accused Sumit Chadha cannot be secured through the ordinary process. Open-ended NBWs have been prayed for. NBWs are ordered against accused Sumit Chadha for his arrest and production before this Court accordingly.”

Following a review of the supplementary prosecution complaint (charge sheet) filed by the ED in the money laundering case, the court noted, “Having heard the Special Public Prosecutors for ED and perused the contents of the supplementary complaint, there is sufficient ground for the summoning of accused C.C. Thampi (UAE-based NRI) and Sumit Chadha (UK national) as per the complaint. Summons will be issued for the appearance of accused C.C. Thampi.”

The court highlighted that cognizance of the offence of money laundering, as defined under Section 3 written with Section 17 punishable under Section. 4 of PMLA, 2002, had already been taken on October 5, 2020.

The Enforcement Directorate recently filed a supplementary chargesheet against accused C.C. Thampi and accused Sumit Chadha under Section 3 of PMLA, 2002, and punishable under Section 4 of PMLA, 2002.

According to the ED, Sanjay Bhandari created a web of entities with individuals in UAE and the U.K. to acquire properties outside India.

Emails indicate that accused C.C. Thampi and Sumit Chadha worked together and were close confidants of Sanjay Bhandari.

The ED asserted that there is ample material for proceeding against these two accused, gathered during further investigation and submitted in the first supplementary complaint.

Summons were issued to Sumit Chadha, but he refused to receive them sent through diplomatic channels and did not respond.

Advocates Naveen Kumar Matta, Anil Khatri, and Mohd Faizan represented the Enforcement Directorate.

Sanjay Bhandari, allegedly a close associate of Priyanka Gandhi’s husband, Robert Vadra, is mentioned in the case.

Robert Vadra is presently on anticipatory bail, and allegations suggest that Sanjay Bhandari took commission during the UPA era to purchase properties in London, with the beneficial owner being Robert Vadra, a claim Vadra denies.

The Rouse Avenue Court recently permitted Robert Vadra to travel abroad to Austria and Switzerland for two weeks, considering his previous travels and lack of interference with the investigation.

Robert Vadra’s lawyer argued that he is not an accused, and no incriminating evidence has been found against him to date.

ED opposed Vadra’s plea, citing his influence and political connections, expressing concerns that he might interfere with proceedings related to a criminal proceeding against co-accused Sanjay Bhandari in Switzerland.

The extradition process of the main accused, Sanjay Bhandari, from the United Kingdom, is at a crucial stage.

In April the Enforcement Directorate attached a property worth Rs 4.50 crore in Delhi belonging to Sharan Svadha LLP in connection with a case involving Pilatus Aircraft Ltd, Switzerland, Sanjay Bhandari, and others.