NEW DELHI: Priyanka Gandhi, a prominent figure in the Indian National Congress, has been mentioned in a chargesheet filed by the Enforcement Directorate. The charges are linked to a money laundering case involving Sanjay Bhandari, a defense dealer based in London and currently on the run.

The Enforcement Directorate also included the name of Priyanka's husband, Robert Vadra, in the chargesheet pertaining to the investigation.

It's important to note that Priyanka Gandhi has not been listed as an accused in this particular case, according to the details revealed in the chargesheet.

The Enforcement Directorate alleges that Robert Vadra was involved in the refurbishment and occupancy of a property in London that is suspected to be linked to illicit funds in a money laundering case associated with Sanjay Bhandari, who absconded to the UK back in 2016. The British government approved Bhandari's extradition to India earlier this year, following requests from both the Enforcement Directorate and the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

In their recent statement, the Enforcement Directorate announced the filing of a fresh charge sheet against Cheruvathur Chakutty Thampi, an NRI businessman based in the UAE, and Sumit Chadha, a UK national. Thampi had been apprehended in January 2020 in connection with this case and is described by the ED as a "close associate" of Robert Vadra. Thampi is presently out on bail.

According to the ED's allegations, Bhandari possessed undisclosed foreign income and assets, including properties in London. The agency asserts that these assets are believed to be the result of criminal activities under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), and both Thampi and Chadha are implicated in concealing and utilizing these illicit proceeds.

The investigation uncovered connections indicating that Thampi has a close association with Robert Vadra. The ED claims that Vadra not only oversaw renovations at a property in London's Bryanston Square through Sumit Chadha but also resided in the same property. Additionally, the ED alleges that both Vadra and CC Thampi engaged in significant land purchases near Faridabad, near Delhi, and had financial dealings with each other.

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