Ashok Gehlot's Son Questioned For 9 Hours By Probe Agency, Summoned Again

Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's son Vaibhav was questioned for nine hours by the Enforcement Directorate today in connection with alleged violations of foreign exchange rules.

He has been summoned again for another round of questioning on November 16, four days after Diwali. Rajasthan goes to polls on November 25. 

Vaibhav Gehlot arrived at the probe agency's headquarters in Delhi at around 11.30 am and stepped out after 8:30 pm.

"I or my family have no links to the FEMA or foreign transactions.... They (ED) gave me less time to appear in the summons. I had sought 15 days' time.... They should have given more time to me," Vaibhav Gehlot told reporters outside the ED office after he came out for an hour-long lunch break.

The summons are linked to the recent ED raids against Rajasthan-based hospitality group Triton Hotels & Resorts Pvt. Ltd., Vardha Enterprises Pvt. Ltd. and its directors and promoters Shiv Shankar Sharma, Rattan Kant Sharma and others.

The agency, which investigates financial frauds, had seized Rs 1.2 crore in cash during the searches last month. The Triton group, it is alleged, received investment from a Mauritius entity back in 2007-2008.

Brushing off the allegations against his son, Ashok Gehlot said that Vaibhav has no foreign exchange dealings. "Vaibhav Gehlot only has a taxi company. Rattan (Kant Sharma) was a partner, but they work separately now," he said.

The Rajasthan Chief Minister said central agencies have lost their credibility due to the alleged misuse by BJP-led central government.

"Central agencies have no credibility now. It is a worrying situation. This is not about my son or the state Congress president. Aatank macha rakha hai desh mein (they have spread terror in the country)," he said.

Mr Gehlot also hit out at the central agency for issuing a short notice summons. "Is this a joke?" he said.