Delhi Court takes cognisance of ED chargesheet against Robert vadra in land deal case

A Delhi court on Wednesday took cognisance of a chargesheet filed by the Enforcement Directorate against businessman Robert Vadra and others in a money laundering case linked to a controversial land deal in Gurugram, marking a key development in a long-running legal and political controversy.

Special Judge Sushant Changotra said a prima facie review of the material showed sufficient grounds to proceed against Vadra and eight others under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act. The court has issued summons for May 16 . The chargesheet, filed in July last year, is the first criminal prosecution against Vadra by any agency. He was earlier questioned by the ED for three consecutive days in April 2025.

The case stems from a 2008 land deal in Shikohpur (Gurugram), where Skylight Hospitality Pvt Ltd linked to Vadra bought 3.5 acres for ₹7.5 crore and later sold it to DLF Limited for ₹58 crore in 2012. The transaction came under scrutiny after IAS officer Ashok Khemka cancelled the mutation, citing violations of land laws .

The court clarified that the scope at the cognisance stage is limited , and rejected arguments to delay proceedings pending investigation of the predicate offence. It also noted that Vadra’s proprietary firm is not a separate legal entity , making him accountable for its actions, while dropping proceedings against one accused due to lack of evidence.

Politically , the case has remained contentious. The deal occurred under the Congress government led by Bhupinder Singh Hooda . Vadra has termed the probe a “political vendetta” , a claim echoed by the Congress, which alleges misuse of agencies. With the court’s order, the case now enters a crucial judicial phase .