ED Files Complaint Against Sonia & Rahul in National Herald Money Laundering Case
In a significant development in the National Herald money laundering case, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed 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 Subramanian Swamy, a BJP leader and a vocal critic of the Gandhi family. The ED’s move comes after a thorough investigation into the allegations of money laundering and fraud.
The National Herald case dates back to 2012 when the Congress party’s newspaper, National Herald, was taken over by Young Indian, a company owned by the Gandhi family. Young Indian was a private limited company formed in 2010, with Sonia Gandhi as its chairperson.
The ED’s complaint alleges that Young Indian acquired the Associated Journals Limited (AJL), which published the National Herald, by paying ₹50 crore, a fraction of the company’s actual value. The ED claims that this transaction was a sham and that the Gandhi family and their associates defrauded AJL and its creditors by undervaluing the company.
The ED’s complaint also accuses Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Sam Pitroda of violating the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) and the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The agency claims that the trio conspired to launder money and conceal the true nature of the transaction.
The ED’s investigation found that Young Indian had acquired significant assets, including properties worth ₹2,000 crore, from AJL. The agency claims that these assets were acquired without paying the full value and that the transaction was a result of a criminal conspiracy.
The ED’s complaint seeks to prosecute Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Sam Pitroda under various sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the PMLA. The agency is seeking to confiscate the properties acquired by Young Indian and impose penalties on the accused.
The National Herald case has been ongoing for several years, with multiple hearings and investigations. In 2017, the Delhi High Court dismissed a plea filed by the Gandhi family to quash the ED’s probe.
The ED’s move to file a prosecution complaint against Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Sam Pitroda is seen as a major blow to the Gandhi family, which has been accused of misusing its position and power to further its business interests.
The Congress party has been critical of the ED’s move, with party spokespersons terming it as a political vendetta against the Gandhi family. The party has also claimed that the ED’s investigation is biased and lacks evidence.
However, the ED’s complaint is based on concrete evidence and testimony from witnesses, including Subramanian Swamy, who was the first to raise the issue of alleged fraud and money laundering in the National Herald case.
The ED’s investigation is ongoing, and the agency is likely to continue its probe into the allegations of money laundering and fraud. The case is expected to have far-reaching implications for the Gandhi family and the Congress party, which has been facing corruption allegations for several years.
In conclusion, the ED’s move to file a prosecution complaint against Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Sam Pitroda is a significant development in the National Herald money laundering case. The case highlights the need for transparency and accountability in business and politics, and it is expected to have a major impact on the political landscape of the country.
News Source: https://x.com/ANI/status/1912118157457645937
