Gurugram Court Sends Vatika CMD Anil Bhalla to 14-Day Judicial Custody

Court orders 14-day judicial custody for Vatika CMD

A special court in Gurugram on October 7, 2026, remanded Vatika Ltd chairman-cum-managing director Anil Bhalla to 14 days of judicial custody in an Enforcement Directorate (ED) money-laundering investigation. The case concerns allegations linked to residential plot projects in Gurugram, including Vatika India Next in Sectors 84 and 85 and Vatika India Next-2 in Sector 88A.

The ED arrested Anil Bhalla and Vatika promoter Gautam Bhalla on September 28. Both were produced before a special court the following day. The allegations and amounts described in the investigation remain matters under examination, not findings of guilt.

The details

Special judge Narender Sura accepted the ED's request for judicial remand, finding sufficient grounds while the investigation continued. Anil Bhalla was ordered to be lodged at District Jail, Bhondsi, and is to appear at the next hearing by video conference. The ED told the court it was concerned he could interfere with evidence or influence witnesses summoned in the case. It reserved the option of seeking further custody, subject to the court's permission and applicable legal limits.

The underlying case stems from multiple FIRs filed by the Delhi Police Economic Offences Wing. They concern allegations including fraudulent inducement and non-delivery of residential plots. As set out by the ED, the investigation examines payments by seven purchaser entities and the subsequent status of plots in the two Gurugram developments.

• The ED alleged that the purchaser entities paid about ₹260 crore upfront between 2010 and 2012 for plots in Vatika India Next, Sectors 84 and 85, and Vatika India Next-2, Sector 88A.
• Plot-specific agreements were allegedly executed in 2014 and 2015. The ED said layouts were later revised, with allotted plots renumbered or relocated, and alleged that land continued to be allotted or sold to other buyers.
• For Vatika India Next-2, the ED said about 1.1 lakh square yards had been acquired for approximately ₹90 crore and alleged that plots had not been delivered there after about 14 years. It described delivery in Vatika India Next as partial.
• The ED valued the substantially undelivered plots at about ₹140.7 crore. It also alleged that project land was held through about 22 group companies and that purchaser funds were transferred to other group and promoter-linked entities rather than being used exclusively for the projects.

The court permitted Anil Bhalla to receive prescribed medicines and bedding from his family, and allowed visits by specified family members in accordance with jail rules.

A separate matter referenced in the investigation concerns a 2024 transaction involving Scaler Ventures. The ED alleged irregularities relating to 165 plots and said proceeds of crime quantified so far were about ₹154.3 crore.

Haryana RERA lists Vatika India Next 2 in Sectors 88A and 88B, Gurugram, under registration number GGM/847/579/2024/74, dated July 8, 2024. The registration certificate was uploaded on July 17, 2024.

What comes next

The ED investigation remained pending on October 7. Anil Bhalla is to be produced at the next hearing through video conference. The ED can seek further custodial interrogation only with the court's permission.