Robert Vadra's custodial interrogation required, ED tells court

The Enforcement Directorate Thursday sought dismissal of Robert Vadra's anticipatory bail application in a money laundering case and told a Delhi court that he is required for custodial interrogation.

Special Judge Arvind Kumar, who extended his interim protection from arrest till April 1, said he will pronounce order on Vadra's application on Monday.

ED said Vadra, brother-in-law of Congress President Rahul Gandhi, "needed to be dealt with custodial interrogation and that there was a risk of tampering with the investigation".

Vadra, facing allegations of money laundering in purchase of a London-based property at 12, Bryanston Square worth 1.9 million pounds, was earlier granted interim protection from arrest by the court till March 27.

ED told the court that there was fresh evidence in the case, including the e-mail trail in which the purchase and renovation of the London-based property was discussed.

"The anticipatory bail needs to be dismissed. Robert Vadra needs to be dealt with custodial interrogation," ED's special public prosecutor D P Singh and Nitesh Rana told the court.

Rana also accused Vadra of politicising the matter.

"We (ED) did not summon him because we did not want to make it political. He (Vadra) himself came forward that he wanted to join the probe. He came to our office with a lot of people, with his wife escorting him.

"We faced almost a mob like situation. Now he says ED is politicising the matter. He goes to the press, goes to social media. His activities, business, investments, all are suspicious," the agency said.

Senior advocate A M Singhvi, appearing for Vadra, told the court there was no need of custodial interrogation.

"There is no allegation to tempering, fleeing or that he (Vadra) is not cooperating. There is no ground of noncooperation rather it's a case of over cooperation," he said.

He further said, "ED is saying I (Vadra) was close to power and misused my position. If that was the case, then I was certainly more influential from 2009 to 2014 than I am now, as ED keep on saying this that I am influential. What more damage I can do now."