The CBI has closed a disproportionate assets case against Vincent George, former secretary to Congress president Sonia Gandhi, on account of lack of evidence.
The investigating agency had booked a case against George in 2001 on charges of acquisition of disproportionate assets under sector 12 (I)(E) and 13(2) of the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988. It was alleged that George used overt and covert means to earn immense wealth during Rajiv Gandhi’s tenure as Prime Minister from November 1984 to December 1990, when he was his personal secretary.
George owns properties in Connaught Place and posh areas of South Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai and Kerala besides agriculture land bordering Delhi and cash over `1.5 crore in bank accounts.
The CBI said George purchased the assets using cash received from abroad, which he claimed were gifts from family members. It is alleged that any illegal gratification he received was first moved abroad and returned to him as gifts, making it white money. George also claimed part of his wealth was earned by two companies, Diana Agencies and Lilliens Exports, run by his wife.
The CBI said judicial requests seeking evidence from the US remained unanswered for nearly 10 years, prompting the agency to close the case citing lack of sufficient evidence to pursue the case.