Robert Vadra's wealth grew from Rs 50 lakh to over Rs 300 crore in three years, Kejriwal says

(Courtsey:-TOI)

NEW DELHI: India Against Corruption (IAC) members Prashant Bhushan and Arvind Kejriwal on Friday accused Congress president Sonia Gandhi's son-in-law Robert Vadra of large-scale corruption in real estate dealings. In a highly speculated press conference, the IAC members alleged that real estate giant DLF had sold him prime land at throw-away prices and given him interest-free loans. They said, Robert Vadra's wealth grew from Rs 50 lakh to over Rs 300 crore in three years, according to Times Now.

Robert Vadra, who comes from a brass and wood handicraft merchant's family, is married to Sonia Gandhi and Rajiv Gandhi's daughter Priyanka Gandhi.

Speculation was rife among political observers in the national capital about activist Arvind Kejriwal's announcement to 'expose' the corruption of a "powerful political leader" on Friday. Kejriwal had said on October 2 that his group would reveal sensational information against two political leaders on Saturday. However, the IAC changed its plans and held its press conference on Friday.

Throwing in a flurry of questions Prashant Bhushan said, "Why did DLF give Rs 65 crore loan to Vadra without any interest? He bought DLF properties with that money at discounted rates ... What benefit did Vadra provide to the Congress party for this? He bought property worth Rs 65 crore for Rs 5 crore ... How did DLF benefit? There are many questions ... There are four penthouses in one DLF property in Gurgaon. He brought these through a maze of five companies. We have details of 12 companies registered in the past few years — six registered in 2012 alone. A penthouse was sold in 2009 for Rs 89 lakh whose market value was Rs 25 crore then, and is now at least Rs 40 crore ..."

Arvind Kejriwal demanded the government to probe into the benefits Robert Vadra may have received in the corrupt property deals.

The second expose speculated to be against a Mumbai-based political figure is expected on October 10, according to the activists. Earlier this year Kejriwal-Bhushan duo had released documents against 15 Cabinet ministers including PM charging them of corruption. They had demanded that a special investigation team be set up to investigate the charges.

The government, however, chose to ignore the demand despite a partially successful hunger strike by Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia and Gopal Rai at Jantar Mantar in July. The activists hope that through a series of "revelations" they will be ale to strengthen the ani-graft image of their unnamed party.