Others looted country and left, I am still here, says Robert Vadra

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Robert Vadra. File Photo

Robert Vadra, who is facing an Enforcement Directorate (ED) probe in a money laundering case, observed that there are many others who looted the country and have fled, but he is still here and would never leave.

Ever since Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra joined active politics as the Uttar Pradesh Congress general secretary, she has been at the receiving end of severe criticism over her husband Robert Vadra’s money laundering case.

On Wednesday, Vadra told ANI, “I’m in this country, there are people who have looted the country and run away, what about them? I’m always going to be in this country, I will not leave or be in active politics till I clear my name that is my promise.”

Robert Vadra’s remark comes a reference to fugitive liquor baron Vijay Mallya, who is facing an extradition case in the UK for duping banks in India to the tune of Rs 9,000 crore. Diamantaire Nirav Modi and Mehul Choksi are also facing similar charges in the Rs 13,000 crore PNB fraud case.

Earlier, Robert Vadra had hinted that he might join Congress and take up active politics like his wife, sparking yet another row.

A Delhi court has recently extended Robert Vadra’s interim bail till March 19 in the money laundering case.

Vadra had filed an anticipatory bail application in the case linked to allegations of money laundering in the purchase of a London-based property at 12, Bryanston Square worth 1.9 million pounds. The property is allegedly owned by him.

In his anticipatory bail plea, Robert Vadra had alleged that he was being subjected to “unwarranted, unjustified and malicious criminal prosecution which on the face of it is completely politically motivated and is being carried out for reasons other than those prescribed under law”.

Robert Vadra had alleged that he is being “hounded and harassed” to subserve political ends.