Congress backs Priyanka's 'family wealth, not Robert's money' assertion

Backing Priyanka Gandhi's refutation of any relation between the property she purchased in Haryana with alleged illegal acquired funds and her husband Robert Vadra's finances , the Congress party on Friday said the fact that 'no concrete' material has come out shows the character of the her statement.

"I think it is very clear that after two or three years of constant persecution and after three years of misinformation, nothing has come out. Agencies of several states are trying to harass and I think that the fact that no concrete material has come out shows the character of the statement made," Congress leader Abhishek Manu Singhvi told ANI.

Gandhi's statement claimed that such allegations against her appeared to have been based on questionable documents and had been publicised deliberately. The statement further alleged that the statements were 'politically motivated' and 'malicious' in intent.

"Six years prior to the purported "land deal involving Skylight Hospitality" on April 28, 2006 Smt. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, purchased 40 Kanal 00 Marla (= 5.0 acres) of agricultural land in Village Amipur, Tehsil Faridabad, District Faridabad in Haryana," a press release from Priyanka's office stated.

It further said that the land was purchased for a total purchase price of Rs. 15, 00,000 paid for entirely by cheque, which is the equivalent of Rs. 3, 00,000 per acre.

"The source of funds for the aforesaid purchase was rental income of Smt. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra from property inherited by her from her grandmother Smt. Indira Gandhi. The source of funds for this or any other property acquired by Smt. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has no relationship whatsoever with Shri Robert Vadra's finances and/or Skylight Hospitality and no relationship whatsoever with DLF," it added.

The press release said the prevailing Collector Rate for agricultural land in Village Amipur, Tehsil Faridabad for 2006-07 and as of April 28, 2006 (the date of purchase) was Rs. 3, 00,000 per acre.

"Smt. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra paid applicable Stamp Duty of 4 percent (applying to a women purchaser of rural agricultural land) amounting to Rs. 60,000 (Rupees Sixty Thousand) on the purchase price of Rs. 15, 00,000.

The press release added that any allegations made by a leading daily in the purported article and/or any headline which besmirches the reputation of Gandhi will appear to be based upon certain questionable documents and represent a deliberate, politically motivated and malicious campaign to besmirch and destroy her reputation.

Gandhi last year acknowledged the receipt of the Enforcement Directorate's notice to Vadra's company in Bikaner.

The Enforcement Directorate had conducted extensive searches in this case in Rajasthan and other places in May and had claimed to have seized a number of documents.