Special court extends ED custody of CC Thampi in Robert Vadra PMLA case

A special court on Friday extended for four days the custodial interrogation of NRI businessman CC Thampi, arrested by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in connection with a money laundering probe against Robert Vadra.

The ED also told the court that fresh summons have also been issued to two witnesses for questioning, adding that it needs more time for investigation as fresh transactions have surfaced.

The court will hear Thampi's bail plea on 28 January. Thampi, a close aide of Vadra, was arrested by the agency last week.

Vadra is facing charges of money laundering in purchase of a London-based property at 12, Bryanston Square, worth 1.9 million pounds. While granting bail on a personal bond of Rs5 lakh and a surety of the same amount, the trial court had directed Vadra not to leave the country without prior permission and also to join the investigation as and when called by the investigating officer.