ED files sealed cover status report on DLF’s role in Shikohpur land deal, court queries unanswered
The Enforcement Directorate has filed a sealed cover status report in a New Delhi court on its investigation into DLF’s role in the Shikohpur land deal, seeking more time to complete the probe. The court expressed displeasure that a specific query from April 15 remains unanswered and has directed th
NEW DELHI — The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Friday filed a status report in a sealed cover in Rouse Avenue court on its ongoing investigation into the role of DLF in the Shikohpur land deal, stating that it requires additional time to conclude the probe. The agency also supplied documents to the accused and sought three weeks to provide a list of un-relied documents as the investigation continues. A translation certificate for a land deed originally in Gujarati was submitted.
Special Judge Sushant Changotra took the status report and heard submissions from senior advocate Zoheb Hossain, who appeared for the ED via video conference, alongside Special Public Prosecutor N K Matta and Advocate Mohd Faizan. Robert Vadra also attended the hearing through video link. The court granted the requested time and listed the matter for 23 September.
The court expressed displeasure that a specific query raised on 15 April — relating to the line of argument adopted by Vadra’s counsel — had not been addressed in categorical terms in the latest status report. The judge directed the ED to furnish an explanation in the next report and ordered that the next status report be forwarded by the concerned Deputy Director of the ED.
On 10 July, the ED had previously filed a status report confirming that DLF’s role was under investigation. Vadra was granted bail on 16 May. The court had earlier issued summons on 16 April to Vadra, Keval Singh Virk, and several firms — including M/s Sky Light Hospitality Private Limited (now Skylight Hospitality LLP), M/s Sky Light Realty Private Limited, M/s Real Earth Estates Private Limited (now Real Earth Estates LLP), M/s Blue Breeze Trading Private Limited (now Blue Breeze Trading LLP), M/s North India IT Parks Private Limited (now North India IT Parks LLP), M/s Lambodar Art Enterprises India Private Limited (now Lambodar Art Enterprises India LLP), and M/s SGY Properties Private Limited (formerly M/s Onkareshwer Properties Private Limited) — to appear on 16 May.
The ED has alleged that Vadra, as the major shareholder (up to 99 per cent) and primary director or partner of the accused firms, played an active role in offences under Sections 3 and 4 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The agency alleges that a fraudulent sale deed with a false declaration of consideration was executed between M/s SGY Properties Private Limited (formerly M/s Onkareshwer Properties Private Limited) and M/s Sky Light Hospitality Private Limited (now Skylight Hospitality LLP), making Vadra the major beneficiary of the proceeds of crime.
The ED further alleges that proceeds of crime worth Rs 58 crores were generated through a joint venture agreement between M/s Sky Light Hospitality Private Limited (now Skylight Hospitality LLP) and DLF, with the amount allegedly routed through Vadra’s entities. The ED registered its case on 21 December 2018 based on a police FIR lodged on 1 September 2018 at Police Station Kherki Daula, Gurugram, Haryana, for offences including criminal conspiracy, cheating, forgery, and corruption against Vadra, former Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, DLF, and others.
The FIR alleges that M/s Sky Light Hospitality Pvt. Ltd. (SLHPL) purchased 3.5 acres of land in Village Shikohpur, Sector-83, Gurugram, from M/s Onkareshwar Properties Pvt. Ltd. (OPPL) for Rs 7.5 crores through a fraudulent sale deed without actual payment of consideration, with the land given as a bribe so that Vadra could obtain a housing license from the then Minister of Town and Country Planning, Bhupinder Singh Hooda. It is further alleged that SLHPL obtained a license to develop a commercial colony in violation of rules by using Vadra’s influence over Hooda, and later sold the land to DLF for Rs 58 crores. The police also alleged that 350 acres in Wazirabad, Gurugram, were wrongly allotted to DLF, generating an estimated profit of around Rs 5,000 crores for the developer.
