Vadra quizzed, called again today: BJP calls it 'success of India's democracy'

New Delhi: On a day Congress president Rahul Gandhi's brother in law Robert Vadra was quizzed for five-and-a half hours by the ED in a money laundering case, BJP and Union government on Wednesday asserted that Modi-led dispensation will not spare the economic defaulters inside or outside the country.

Mr Vadra has been called again for further questioning on Thursday.Mr Vadra came into ED office at around 1545 hours and left the office only after 2140 hours.

''It is a measure of success of India's democracy and rule of law and the current ruling dispensation's will that a gentleman hailing from a very well known family had to submit before the might of law,'' Mr Prasad told reporters in reference to questioning of Mr Vadra, whose wife Priyanka Gandhi Vadra plunged into politics only last month. 

''Vijay Mallya par vijay ho gayi (victory over fugitive business tycoon Vijay Mallya),  Christian Michel, his associates (Deepak)Talwar, (Rajeev) Saxena were brought back'' he said in reference to extradition order obtained from UK on Mallya.

In a quite unusual development in Indian politics, Congress President's brother in law and Priyanka Gandhi Vadra's husband Robert Vadra  appeared before Enforcement Directorate and was questioning Vadra was directed by a Delhi court to cooperate with the investigation being carried out by the central probe agency after he knocked on its door seeking anticipatory bail in this case.

The case relates to allegations of money laundering in the purchase of a London-based property located at 12, Bryanston Square worth 1.9 million pounds. ED counsels have told the court that it has received information about various new properties in London which belongs to Mr Vadra.

In fact, Mr Vadra was directed by a Delhi court to cooperate with the investigation being carried out by the central probe agency. The Congress chief's relative was however given anticipatory bail.

There are broad hints that Robert Vadra will be put through questions on transactions, purchase and possession of certain immovable assets in London under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).Notably, Robert Vadra has also been directed by the Rajasthan High Court to appear before the ED on February 12 in connection with another money laundering case. 

Mr Vadra has denied these allegations in the past while Ms Priyanka on Wednesday accompanied him in a white Toyota Land Cruiser and dropped him outside the ED's office.

"All charges against him are wrong. We will cooperate with the agency," Vadra's counsel Suman Jyoti Khaitan later said. For her part, earlier - Ms Priyanka said - "He is my husband, he is my family...I support my family".(UNI)