The Enforcement Directorate has issued a summons to Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's son in a FEMA case and he has been asked to appear before the agency on Friday. Vaibhav Gehlot has been asked to appear in relation to recent raids conducted against a hospitality group in Rajasthan.
According to reports, Vaibhav Gehlot’s summons is related to the recent ED raids against Rajasthan-based hospitality group Triton Hotels and Resorts Private Ltd, Vardha Enterprises Private Ltd and its directors and promoters Shiv Shankar Sharma, Rattan Kant Sharma and others. Rattan Kant Sharma's alleged links with Vaibhav Gehlot are allegedly under the scanner of the ED and it is expected to question and record his statement under the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). Unaccounted cash of Rs 1.2 crore was seized by the ED after these searches.
CM Gehlot on X called the actions ED’s ‘Red Rose.’ Gehlot alleged BJP doesn’t want people in the state to enjoy the benefits of the government’s guarantees, hence the raids. “Date 25/10/23 Congress launches guarantees for women of Rajasthan. Date 26/10/23 -ED raid on Rajasthan Congress President Govind Singh Ji Dotasara, summons to my son Vaibhav Gehlot to appear in ED,” Gehlot tweeted.
He added, “Now you can understand what I have been saying that ED's Red Rose is happening inside Rajasthan because BJP does not want women, farmers and poor in Rajasthan should get the benefit of the guarantees given by Congress.”
ED’s searches at residences of Congress leaders come as the state is gearing up for Assembly elections on November 25. Rajasthan is one of the states Congress is pinning hopes on in the upcoming Assembly elections in five states. Gehlot hopes his government will be re-elected, despite issues within the party and opposition from the Sachin Pilot-led bloc.
-With agency inputs.
