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ED questions Robert Vadra’s staff, Congress worker
New Delhi, Dec 8 (IANS) The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Saturday questioned four persons, including a Congress worker and two employees of Robert Vadra, the son-in-law of UPA Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, in connection with defence deals, agency officials said.
An ED team raided at the residence of the Congress worker and Robert Vadra’s close aide Jagdish Sharma in the morning and took him to its office for questioning.
Besides the Congress worker, the ED questioned Manoj Arora, Ramesh Sharma and another person, whose identity was not disclosed. The ED had on Friday also questioned the three persons and raided their houses in Delhi, National Capital Region and Bengaluru.
While being taken by the ED officials, Jagdish Sharma told reporters: “Robert Vadra is being framed. Modi government wants to trap him. Searches are on at my residence. What will they get when there is nothing. They are taking me to ED office for questioning.”
The Congress, meanwhile, termed the ED searches at the premises of persons linked to Congress President Rahul Gandhi’s brother-in-law Vadra as “blind vendetta” to settle political scores.
According to the ED, the suspects are linked to the firms of Vadra and have relation to alleged commissions received by some suspects in defence deals. The agency refused to share the details of the defence deals.
Sources said the deals have links to a 2016 case registered under the Official Secrets Act when officials of the Income Tax department searched defence consultant Sanjay Bhandari’s house in New Delhi. During the search, the I-T reportedly recovered photocopies of classified documents of the Ministry of Defence.
The I-T also recovered emails from Bhandari’s computers that allegedly revealed his links to Vadra, with cryptic references to a London property. But Vadra’s lawyers later denied any “direct or indirect” link with the property.
The ED’s move came after Vadra was summoned second time by the agency for questioning in connection with the Bikaner land deal case. Vadra was told to appear in person before the ED in the first week of December.
Vadra’s advocate Suman Khaitan called the ED’s action a “foul play” while the agency officials claimed they have “evidence” that the persons being questioned had received money in their bank accounts from defence suppliers.
Khaitan claimed that the ED officials raided “close associates” and business partners of Vadra without even showing any search warrants.
Vadra had earlier this week alleged that the corruption probe against him was the result of a political witch-hunt aimed at “besmirching his dignity and reputation”.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.