File photo: Robert Vadra (Agence France-Presse)
A controversial land deal involving Robert Vadra, son-in-law of Cong chief Sonia Gandhi, which was sanctioned recently by the Haryana government does not violate election rules, the powerful Election Commission has decided.
Haryana, ruled currently by Mrs Gandhi's party, votes on October 15 for its next government.
In a recent election rally in the state, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said the Election Commission should scrutinise the deal, which, he alleged, was pushed through in a hurry to benefit Mr Vadra.
"Yesterday, despite the Model Code of Conduct, the son-in-law was given land. They know after the results he won't be given anything," the Prime Minister had said. "The Election Commission should take cognizance and appropriate action in this regard." (
In Haryana Campaign, PM Modi Brings Up Vadra Land Deal)
The PM's party, the BJP, had described the legitimization of the deal between Mr Vadra and real estate major DLF as "a parting gift" from the state's Congress government to the party's First Family.
Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda said Mr Modi's speech was "factually incorrect and far from the truth," and the deal was cleared following proper procedure in July before model code of conduct kicked in.
The deal had been described as illicit in 2012 by senior Haryana bureaucrat Ashok Khemka, who alleged that the rules were being bent for Mr Vadra on account of his hefty connections.
Mr Khemka cancelled the mutation of the 3.5 acres sold by Mr Vadra in 2008 to DLF -- the mutation means the land title is officially transferred in local records to register the new owner. He was transferred three days later. (Read:
58-crore deal between DLF and Robert Vadra cancelled by IAS officer Ashok Khemka)
The Haryana government said an inquiry had found his allegations to be baseless. In July this year, the mutation was sanctioned by the state government.