The Enforcement Directorate (ED) stated in the charge sheet filed in the local Mumbai court, that former Chairman of Yes Bank  Rana Kapoor had paid Rs 2 crore for an M.F. Husain’s painting and that the money was utilised for the treatment of Congress interim President Sonia Gandhi in New York.

It also mentions in its charge sheet that Kapoor was forced by then Petroleum Minister Murli Deora to purchase the painting from Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra. The said former Minister Deora had visited Kapoor’s home and offices many times to force him to buy the paintings, it is alleged. Former Minister Deora had also sent messages and called Kapoor in this respect several times from various phone numbers.

According to Kapoor who tried to avoid Deora’s calls and messages but was practically forced to purchase the painting to maintain a good relationship with the Gandhis’ and Deoras’. Kapoor had issued a cheque of Rs 2 crore to Milind Deora, the son of Murli Deora from his HSBC account.

Kapoor’s statements also mention that he was promised by Murli Deora that they would help him get a Padma Bhushan which never happened.

Significantly Kapoor mentions that Ahmed Patel a close confidante of Sonia Gandhi had also told him that since Kapoor had helped Sonia Gandhi at the opportune time, his name would be considered for a Padma Bhushan.

Kapoor had said in its statements that it was a forced sale and he was never ready for it.

Rana Kapoor who is now in judicial custody after his arrest in March 2020 for siphoning off funds worth 5050 Cr. This was the second supplementary charge sheet filed by ED against Kapoor, his family, DHFL promoters Kapil and Dheeraj Wadhwan.

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