Ashok Gehlot’s son appears before ED, says no links to FEMA
ED had conducted searches between August 29 and 31 in various locations in Jaipur, Udaipur, Mumbai and Delhi in connection with the FEMA case of Triton Hotels and Resorts Private Limited, Vardha Enterprises Private Limited, and its directors and promoters Shiv Shankar Sharma, Rattan Kant Sharma and others.
Vaibhav Gehlot, son of Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, arrives at the ED office for questioning in a foreign exchange violation case, in New Delhi, Monday, Oct. 30, 2023. (PTI Photo)
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Rajasthan Congress leader and Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot’s son, Vaibhav Gehlot appeared before the Enforcement Directorate in New Delhi Monday in connection with a Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) case.
“I got a summons for FEMA. I told them that neither I nor my family have done any foreign transaction or have any links to FEMA,” Vaibhav told reporters after coming out of the ED office for lunch. He said he was given a day and a half to appear and he had sought 15 days’ time, which was denied by the ED. The ED has summoned him again on November 16, he said.
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ED had conducted searches between August 29 and 31 in various locations in Jaipur, Udaipur, Mumbai and Delhi in connection with the FEMA case of Triton Hotels and Resorts Private Limited, Vardha Enterprises Private Limited, and its directors and promoters Shiv Shankar Sharma, Rattan Kant Sharma and others.
ED said investigation has been initiated based on “credible information” wherein Triton Hotels and Resorts received Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) from Sivnar Holdings Limited, Mauritius at a huge premium which was revised several times violating FEMA provisions. It claimed that Triton group was also involved in hawala transactions.
In 2020 too, Rattan Sharma was summoned by the agency to explain an alleged receipt of Rs 96.7 crore into Triton from Mauritius. According to RoC records, the Mauritius-based Sivnar Holding Limited owns 50 per cent in Triton, while Rattan Kant Sharma and his wife Jui Sharma own the rest.
During the searches this August, unaccounted cash of Rs 1.27 crore as well as “various incriminating documents including digital evidence, hard disks, mobiles etc. were seized which reveal large-scale transactions done by the group out of books of account.” ED said that unaccounted cash receipts were invested in development of hotels.
Vaibhav is linked to the case through Rattan’s association with SunLight Car Rental Services Private Limited, where he, his wife Himanshi and Rattan were shareholders. In March 2011, Rattan Sharma had acquired 50 per cent shares in Sunlight Car Rentals Private Ltd, which was floated by Vaibhav. Sharma remained a company shareholder till March 31.
Hamza Khan is a seasoned Correspondent for The Indian Express, specifically reporting from the diverse and politically dynamic state of Rajasthan. Based in Jaipur, he provides high-authority coverage on the state's governance, legal landscape, and social issues, directly supporting the "Journalism of Courage" ethos of the publication.
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Politics & Governance: Comprehensive tracking of the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly, including policy changes (e.g., the Right to Health Bill and Anti-Mob Lynching Bills), bypoll dynamics, and the shifting power structures between the BJP and Congress. ... Read More