Robert Vadra-DLF Land Deal Case: Businessman Robert Vadra, known for being the husband of Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, is once again in the headlines. This month, he has been summoned twice by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with alleged irregularities in a controversial land deal with real estate giant DLF.
Vadra, however, has called the ED’s actions “a political vendetta”, insisting he has nothing to hide. So, what exactly is the case about? And why has it resurfaced now? Here’s a clear and complete breakdown.
The Origin of the Controversy
The case dates back to 2008, when Robert Vadra’s firm, Skylight Hospitality, purchased about 3.5 acres of land in Manesar-Shikohpur, Gurugram for Rs 7.5 crore.
Within a short time, the then Congress-led Haryana government approved a licence for Skylight to develop a housing project on the same land. This approval significantly boosted the land’s value. Just a few months later, DLF agreed to purchase the land for Rs 58 crore—a nearly eight-fold jump.
The profit margins raised many eyebrows, especially when the mutation (transfer of ownership) of the land was done in 2012, much later than the initial transactions.
IAS Officer’s Role and the First Red Flag
The deal first came under scrutiny when Ashok Khemka, a senior IAS officer, cancelled the mutation in October 2012. As head of Haryana’s land records department at the time, Khemka said he found irregularities in the deal.
His action triggered a political storm. Khemka was swiftly transferred, and the then Bhupinder Singh Hooda-led Congress government set up a three-member panel to review the matter. In 2013, the panel cleared Vadra and DLF, and instead accused Khemka of acting beyond his jurisdiction.
What Changed After 2014?
In 2014, the BJP came to power in Haryana. The new government set up the Justice Dhingra Commission to probe the matter. The commission reportedly submitted a 182-page report in 2016, but it was never made public, fueling further speculation.
Then, in 2018, an FIR was filed against multiple parties including Vadra, DLF, former CM Hooda, and Onkareshwar Properties (the original seller of the land). They were accused of criminal conspiracy, cheating, fraud, and violations under the Prevention of Corruption Act.
Both Robert Vadra and Bhupinder Singh Hooda have repeatedly denied any wrongdoing.
Where Do Things Stand Now?
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has taken over the investigation and is actively pursuing the case. Vadra has already been questioned several times, and fresh summons in April 2025 suggest the agency is digging deeper.
However, a 2023 affidavit by the Haryana government submitted in the Punjab and Haryana High Court claimed that no rules were violated in the land transfer to DLF. This has complicated the narrative, as it goes against earlier allegations.
Political Fallout
The case continues to be a major political flashpoint. Congress leaders have called it an attempt to target the Gandhi family, while BJP leaders maintain it is about holding the powerful accountable.
The timing of ED’s recent actions, close to election season, has only added to the political drama.
The Vadra-DLF land deal remains a complex case with layers of business, bureaucracy, and politics. While the investigation is ongoing, the outcome could have significant implications—not just for Robert Vadra, but also for the political narrative ahead of the next general elections.
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