I am a law abiding citizen, Kejriwal trying to malign my image: Vadra

New Delhi: Defending himself over corruption charges, businessman Robert Vadra on Sunday said that he is a private citizen and all his financial deals are transparent. Vadra also dismissed anti-corruption activist Arvind Kejriwal's allegations as baseless and defamatory. "I am a private law abiding citizen who has been engaged in business over the last 21 years. I am saddened by the attempts to manufacture lies against me and malign me and my family in order to gain cheap publicity," said Vadra.

Vadra claimed that his business transactions are fully reflected in financial statements filed before appropriate government authorities in compliance with the law. They are available in the public domain to anyone interested in knowing the truth.

"The allegations leveled against me by Kejriwal and Bhushan are utterly false, entirely baseless and defamatory," said Vadra. Vadra, the son-in-law of UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi, on Saturday had posted a message on Facebook, saying, "Thanks so much for your concern. I am fine and can handle all the negativity."

However, Arvind Kejriwal hit back at Sonia Gandhi\'s son-in-law and said he is skirting the issue rather than clarifying his stand.

Kejriwal, however, attacked Vadra for "skirting the matter" by questioning the motive of the anti-corruption activists rather than addressing the issues raised by them. "He is questioning the motive, which is not important. Why is he not talking about the issue? Why is he hiding behind DLF and the Congress. He is shooting the messenger," Kejriwal said.

Responding to Vadra's allegations that Kejriwal misrepresented numbers in his financial statements, the India Against Corruption (IAC) member said that he was ready to face trial over the matter. Kejriwal further said, "On the one hand, the congress party says that Vadra is a private individual and has nothing to do with the party. On the other hand, the whole party rises to defend him. It was sad to see (Finance Minister) P Chidambaram give a clean chit to Vadra. How will an independent investigation happen?"

Kejriwal had on Friday addressed a press conference in the national capital alleging that construction major DLF gave an unsecured and interest-free loan worth Rs 65 crore to the companies owned by Vadra.

According to Kejriwal and senior Supreme Court advocate Prashant Bhushan, Vadra's companies allegedly used that money to buy seven DLF flats worth Rs 35 crore for a rock bottom price of Rs 5 crore. The five firms that were used to buy the flats are allegedly owned by Vadra and his mother.

Bhushan stepped up the attack on the son-in-law of Sonia Gandhi by alleging that Vadra, who earlier had properties worth Rs 50 lakh, now owns properties worth Rs 300 crore. They raised a demand to probe the allegation.

Bhushan and Kejriwal further questioned if the DLF got land allotments among other favours in return.

Also See

• DLF's reply on Vadra deal full of lies: Kejriwal
• Not blackmailing Congress on Vadra: Kejriwal
• Kejriwal cannot replace Opposition: Nitin Gadkari
• Business with Vadra completely transparent: DLF
• Khurshid rejects probe into charges against Vadra

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