Businessman Robert Vadra on Monday withdrew his petition before the Delhi High Court in connection with the Enforcement Directorate’s money laundering proceedings arising out of the Shikohpur land deal matter.
The development came after the Enforcement Directorate raised a strong objection to what it described as false statements made on oath in the petition regarding the date of inclusion of the scheduled offences under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
Appearing for the ED, Special Standing Counsel Zoheb Hossain objected to the maintainability of the plea, submitting before the Court that false averments had been made in the pleadings and that the petition deserved dismissal with costs. He insisted that if the petitioner wished to withdraw, it must be done unconditionally.
Senior Advocate Dr Abhishek Manu Singhvi, appearing for Vadra, sought time to verify the position, following which the petitioner chose to withdraw the plea.
During the hearing, the Court noted that once the petition was withdrawn without liberty, the petitioner could not re-agitate the same challenge unless the Court specifically granted permission to file afresh.
The petition was accordingly dismissed as withdrawn.