In what appears to be a fallout from OpIndia’s report on the dubious deals involving Congress leaders and shady arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) will reportedly question H.L. Pahwa. According to an India Today report, Pahwa’s statement is expected to be recorded soon.
As per the report, Pahwa and CC Thampi have been called for questioning earlier as well. Pahwa is reported to have not responded to the summons while Thampi is said to be undergoing treatment in the United States.
The report states further, “Pahwa, according to investigators, had received around Rs 54 crore from CC Thampi, which the agency suspects was utilised to invest in the land.” The report further adds that the ED has established a money-trail of kickbacks which were received from the Pilatus and Samsung deal signed during the UPA era.
The Pilatus deal was another defence deal under the UPA era that was shrouded in controversy from the very beginning. The NDA government had ordered a probe into the matter in 2016. Our detailed report on the matter can be read here.
As we had reported earlier, Rahul Gandhi had purchased 6.5 acres of land located at Hassanpur, Palwal from HL Pahwa for a measly sum of Rs. 26,47,000. Pahwa was involved in numerous other land deals with the Parivar and often, he bought back these same lands at inflated prices even though his cash balance was negative. In this, he was assisted by CC Thampi who is closely associated with arms dealer Sanjay Bhandari.