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 involves the alleged fraudulent takeover of properties valued at ₹2,000 crore by Young Indian, a company linked to Sonia Gandhi.
The complaint was filed by the ED under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) and the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA). The ED’s move comes after a thorough investigation into the alleged irregularities in the takeover of the National Herald newspaper by Young Indian.
The National Herald case dates back to 2012 when the Congress party’s mouthpiece, the National Herald, was taken over by Young Indian, a company formed by Sonia Gandhi and other Congress leaders. The company is alleged to have misused the assets of the newspaper to take over the properties, which were valued at ₹2,000 crore.
The initial complaint in the case was filed by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Subramanian Swamy in 2012. Swamy had alleged that the takeover of the National Herald newspaper was a “deal” between the Gandhi family and the Indian Youth Congress (IYC), which was a front for the Congress party.
The ED’s investigation found that Young Indian had taken over the properties of the National Herald newspaper without paying the due amount to the Associated Journals Limited (AJL), the company that owned the newspaper. The ED also found that the takeover was done in violation of the Companies Act and the FEMA.
The ED’s complaint alleges that Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Sam Pitroda were the beneficiaries of the alleged money laundering scam. The complaint also alleges that the trio had conspired to launder the money by taking over the properties of the National Herald newspaper.
The ED’s move has sent shockwaves in the political circles, with many questioning the timing of the complaint. Some have alleged that the ED is targeting the Gandhi family and the Congress party to weaken them ahead of the next general elections.
However, the ED has denied any political vendetta and has maintained that the investigation was conducted in a fair and transparent manner. The ED has also sought permission from the court to confiscate the properties allegedly laundered by the trio.
The National Herald case is not the only case in which the Gandhi family has been accused of irregularities. In 2017, the I-T Department had conducted raids on the premises of the Gandhi family, including Sonia Gandhi’s official residence, in connection with an alleged tax evasion case.
The case has also raised questions about the alleged nexus between the Gandhi family and the Congress party. Many have questioned how the Congress party’s mouthpiece, the National Herald, could be taken over by a company linked to the Gandhi family without any due process.
The ED’s complaint has also sparked a debate about the alleged misuse of power and position by the Gandhi family. Many have questioned how the Gandhi family could allegedly misuse their position to take over the properties of the National Herald newspaper.
The case is now likely to go to trial, and the ED’s complaint will be scrutinized by the court. The court will also hear the arguments of the accused, including Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Sam Pitroda.
In conclusion, the ED’s complaint against Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Sam Pitroda in the National Herald money laundering case is a significant development that has sent shockwaves in the political circles. The case has raised questions about the alleged irregularities in the takeover of the National Herald newspaper and the alleged misuse of power and position by the Gandhi family.
