ED Files Complaint Against Sonia & Rahul in National Herald Money Laundering Case
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has taken a significant step in the ongoing National Herald money laundering case by filing a prosecution complaint in a Delhi court against Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Sam Pitroda. The case revolves around 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 on behalf of the Union government, as per the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The agency has accused the three Congress leaders of money laundering and misusing the funds of the Association of Democratic Reforms (ADR) to acquire the assets of National Herald.
The National Herald newspaper was founded by Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s first Prime Minister, and was later acquired by the Congress party. The case dates back to 2012, when Subramanian Swamy, a Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader, filed a complaint against Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and others, alleging that they had misused the party’s funds to acquire the assets of National Herald.
Subramanian Swamy’s complaint alleged that Young Indian, a company promoted by Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, had acquired the assets of National Herald at a throwaway price, resulting in a loss of over ₹2,000 crore to the party. The ED had taken cognizance of the complaint in 2013 and had been investigating the case since then.
The ED’s prosecution complaint alleges that Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Sam Pitroda had conspired to launder the money and had misused the funds of ADR to acquire the assets of National Herald. The agency has also accused them of having violated the provisions of the PMLA and the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA).
The complaint filed by the ED is based on the investigation conducted by the agency, which included searches and seizures at various premises, including those of Young Indian and ADR. The ED had also questioned several individuals, including Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, during the investigation.
The development is significant, as it is the first time that the ED has filed a prosecution complaint against Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in connection with the National Herald money laundering case. The case has been going on for several years, and the ED’s move is likely to add momentum to the investigation.
The case has also political implications, as it involves high-profile leaders of the Congress party. The BJP has been critical of the Congress party’s handling of the National Herald case, and the ED’s move is likely to give the party an opportunity to target the Congress leadership.
The investigation into the National Herald money laundering case has been ongoing for several years, and the ED’s move is a significant development in the case. The agency’s prosecution complaint is likely to set the stage for a trial, which could take several months or even years to conclude.
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 in the case. The case has far-reaching implications, both political and legal, and is likely to continue to be in the spotlight in the coming months.
News Source: https://x.com/ANI/status/1912118157457645937
