PMLA case against Robert Vadra | Land deal cancellation was illegally revoked by ex-Haryana CM Hooda: ED to Court

By | July 25, 2025
PMLA case against Robert Vadra hearing in Delhi court.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has intensified its investigation into Robert Vadra’s controversial land deal in Haryana. The agency told a Delhi court that former Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda illegally revoked the cancellation of a land transaction in Shikohpur, Gurugram. ED claims this act helped Vadra’s company secure massive profits and facilitated money laundering under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

How the Land Deal Started

In 2008, Skylight Hospitality Pvt Ltd, linked to Robert Vadra, bought 3.5 acres in Shikohpur for about ₹7.5 crore. Four years later, the company sold the plot to DLF for ₹58 crore. The huge profit attracted scrutiny.

In 2012, IAS officer Ashok Khemka, then Director-General of Land Records, cancelled the land mutation. He cited violations of the Haryana Consolidation Act and irregularities in the deal. His decision stirred a political storm as he accused the parties of misrepresenting facts and breaking procedural rules.

ED’s Case Against Hooda

ED claims Bhupinder Singh Hooda overturned Khemka’s cancellation to favor Vadra’s company. The agency alleges that Hooda misused his position and pressured officials to clear the deal. According to ED, this reversal was illegal and enabled Vadra’s firm to earn unlawful gains.

The agency told the court that the land’s price was intentionally undervalued during the initial purchase. This allowed Vadra’s company to profit from inflated resale values, resulting in what ED calls a “planned conspiracy.”

Money Laundering Angle

ED calls the Shikohpur deal a “classic case of money laundering.” The agency believes the profits from the transaction were routed through multiple channels to disguise their source. These funds were then used to buy other properties.

Recently, ED attached 43 properties worth around ₹36–37 crore linked to Vadra and his companies. The agency argues these assets represent proceeds of crime under the PMLA.

Legal Action and Court Hearings

On July 17, 2025, ED filed its first prosecution complaint in the Shikohpur land case. It named Robert Vadra, Skylight Hospitality, Onkareshwar Properties, and several others. Business associates and developers linked to the land deal also feature in the complaint.

On July 24, ED presented its arguments before Special Judge Sushant Changotra. The court will decide on July 31, 2025, whether to issue formal notices to Vadra, Hooda, and other accused parties.

Political Repercussions

The case has sparked fresh political tensions. Both Robert Vadra and Bhupinder Singh Hooda have close ties to the Congress party. BJP leaders have often cited the Shikohpur deal as evidence of corruption during the previous Congress rule in Haryana.

Hooda faces multiple investigations related to land deals during his tenure. Vadra, however, denies any wrongdoing. He insists that all transactions were transparent and followed the law.

Key Highlights

  • Land Purchase (2008): Skylight Hospitality bought land for ₹7.5 crore.
  • Sale (2012): The land sold for ₹58 crore to DLF.
  • Cancellation: Ashok Khemka cancelled the deal citing legal violations.
  • Revocation: Hooda allegedly reversed Khemka’s order unlawfully.
  • Assets Attached: ED attached properties worth ₹36 crore.
  • Next Hearing: The court will issue its order on July 31, 2025.

Wider Context

The Shikohpur case is part of a series of investigations into land transactions under the Hooda government. Similar scams, like the Manesar land case, have been under CBI and ED probes.

Ashok Khemka’s role has been central to this case. Known for exposing irregular land deals, he has often faced transfers for taking on politically sensitive cases.

Conclusion

The Shikohpur land case highlights the growing scrutiny of political-business ties in Haryana’s real estate sector. ED’s allegations against Vadra and Hooda suggest a deliberate misuse of power and financial manipulation.

The upcoming court decision on July 31 will determine whether the trial proceeds with formal notices. If the court moves forward, more evidence and testimonies will reveal the true scope of the alleged conspiracy.

For now, the ED continues to pursue the case as a major test of accountability under the PMLA.