ED Files Complaint Against Sonia & Rahul in National Herald Money Laundering Case
In a significant development, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a prosecution complaint in a Delhi court against Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Sam Pitroda in connection with the alleged National Herald money laundering case. This move comes after a long-drawn-out investigation into the alleged fraudulent takeover of properties valued at ₹2,000 crore by Young Indian, a company linked to Sonia Gandhi.
The case dates back to 2012 when Subramanian Swamy, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, filed a complaint against the Gandhis and others for alleged fraud, misappropriation of property, and money laundering. Swamy had accused the Congress leaders of taking over the assets of the National Herald newspaper, which was founded by Jawaharlal Nehru, and using them for personal gain.
The ED’s complaint, filed in the Special Court for Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) in Delhi, alleges that Young Indian, a private company incorporated by the Gandhis, had acquired the assets of National Herald, including its properties, by misusing the company’s funds. The ED claims that the Gandhis and Pitroda, who is a key accused in the case, had conspired to take over the assets of National Herald and use them for personal gain.
The ED’s complaint further alleges that the Gandhis and Pitroda had diverted the funds of National Herald for personal benefits, including the construction of a luxury hotel in New Delhi. The agency claims that the accused had used the proceeds of crime to purchase properties worth ₹2,000 crore, which were then used to fund their personal expenses.
The ED’s investigation, which began in 2013, has revealed that Young Indian had acquired the assets of National Herald without paying any consideration. The agency claims that the company had used the funds of National Herald for its own purposes, including the payment of salaries to its employees.
The ED’s complaint also names other accused, including Oscar Fernandes, Ahmed Patel, Moti Lal Vora, and Suman Dubey, who are alleged to have been involved in the conspiracy to take over the assets of National Herald.
The Gandhis and Pitroda have denied any wrongdoing and have claimed that the ED’s allegations are politically motivated. However, the ED’s complaint is likely to be a major embarrassment for the Congress party, which has been facing a series of corruption allegations in recent months.
The ED’s move comes at a time when the Congress party is already reeling from a series of corruption allegations, including the alleged irregularities in the Foreign Contribution Regulation Act (FCRA) registration of the party. The party’s president, Sonia Gandhi, has been accused of misusing her position to benefit her family members and cronies.
The ED’s complaint is likely to put pressure on the Gandhis and Pitroda to respond to the allegations and provide evidence to support their claims. The Congress party has been accused of using its political influence to delay and obstruct the investigation into the National Herald case.
The ED’s complaint is a significant development in the National Herald case, which has been pending for several years. The case has been marked by controversy and allegations of political interference, with the Congress party accusing the ED of using the case to target the Gandhis.
However, the ED’s complaint is likely to be a major blow to the Gandhis and Pitroda, who have been accused of using their political influence to delay and obstruct the investigation. The ED’s move is likely to put pressure on the Gandhis and Pitroda to respond to the allegations and provide evidence to support their claims.
In conclusion, the ED’s filing of a prosecution complaint against Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Sam Pitroda in the National Herald money laundering case is a significant development that is likely to have far-reaching implications for the Congress party. The case has been marked by controversy and allegations of political interference, but the ED’s complaint is likely to put pressure on the Gandhis and Pitroda to respond to the allegations and provide evidence to support their claims.
