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. The case pertains to the alleged fraudulent takeover of properties valued at ₹2,000 crore by Young Indian, a company linked to Sonia Gandhi.
The complaint was filed before the Special Judge for CBI cases, Rakesh Syal, on November 25, 2022. The ED has accused the trio of money laundering, misappropriation of funds, and criminal conspiracy. The agency has also sought permission from the court to summon the accused and record their statements.
The case dates back to 2012, when Subramanian Swamy, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, filed an initial complaint against the Gandhis and others alleging that they had fraudulently taken over the assets of National Herald, a newspaper founded by Jawaharlal Nehru. The newspaper was founded in 1938 and was a leading publication at the time of India’s independence.
In 2010, the Congress party acquired the newspaper and its assets through a trust. However, the ED alleged that the party allegedly misused the assets to benefit Young Indian, a company linked to Sonia Gandhi. The agency claimed that the company was formed in 2010 with an initial investment of ₹50 lakh, but it went on to acquire assets worth ₹2,000 crore without paying any taxes.
The ED also claimed that the Gandhis and Pitroda had failed to disclose the source of funds used to acquire the assets of National Herald. The agency alleged that the trio had misused the assets to benefit themselves and their companies, and had also laundered money to hide their illegal activities.
The ED’s complaint is based on a probe conducted by the agency under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The agency had seized several documents and records during the probe, which allegedly revealed the fraudulent activities of the accused.
The ED’s move comes as a major setback for the Congress party, which has been accused of corruption and nepotism. The party has denied all allegations of wrongdoing and has claimed that the ED’s action is motivated by political vendetta.
The Gandhis and Pitroda have been summoned by the ED several times in the past, but they have claimed that they are not involved in any illegal activities. The ED has also attached several assets worth ₹2,000 crore under the PMLA, which are alleged to be linked to the accused.
The development has sparked a political storm, with both the Congress and the BJP trading barbs over the issue. The Congress has accused the BJP of using the ED to harass its leaders, while the BJP has claimed that the agency’s action is based on solid evidence and that the Gandhis are guilty of corruption.
The ED’s complaint is likely to be a major test for the Gandhis, who have been accused of corruption and nepotism several times in the past. The case has the potential to tarnish the image of the Congress party and its leadership, and could have significant implications for the party’s prospects in the upcoming elections.
The ED’s action is also likely to raise questions about the role of the Congress party in the alleged fraudulent takeover of National Herald. The party has been accused of using its power and influence to benefit its leaders and their companies, and the ED’s complaint could provide evidence of this.
The case is likely to be closely watched by the public, who are eager to see justice being served in the alleged corruption case. The ED’s complaint is a significant development in the case, and could mark a turning point in the investigation.
In conclusion, the ED’s filing of a prosecution complaint against Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Sam Pitroda in connection with the alleged National Herald money laundering case is a significant development in the case. The agency’s action is based on solid evidence and could mark a major setback for the Congress party and its leadership. The case has the potential to tarnish the image of the Congress party and its leadership, and could have significant implications for the party’s prospects in the upcoming elections.
News Source: https://x.com/ANI/status/1912118157457645937
