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 pertains to the alleged fraudulent takeover of properties valued at ₹2,000 crore by Young Indian, a company linked to Sonia Gandhi.
As per the complaint filed by the ED, Young Indian, a private company, acquired the assets of Associated Journals Limited (AJL), the publisher of National Herald, for a mere ₹50 lakh in 2010. The ED claims that this transaction was a “sham” and ” benami” (without name) deal to launder money.
The case is based on a complaint filed by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Subramanian Swamy in 2012, alleging that the Gandhis and other Congress leaders had misused their power and position to take control of AJL’s assets. Swamy’s complaint alleged that the Gandhis had used their influence to obtain a loan of ₹90 crore from the Congress party’s bank account, which was then used to pay off the debts of AJL.
The ED’s complaint alleges that the Gandhis and Sam Pitroda, a close associate of the family, were involved in a criminal conspiracy to launder money and misappropriate the assets of AJL. The agency claims that the Gandhis had used Young Indian to acquire the assets of AJL, which were valued at ₹2,000 crore, for a mere ₹50 lakh.
The ED’s complaint also alleges that the Gandhis had failed to disclose the true ownership of Young Indian and had misused the company to launder money. The agency claims that the Gandhis had used the company to transfer funds to other entities and to make payments to themselves and their associates.
The ED’s prosecution complaint is the first step in the legal process, and the court will now decide whether to take cognizance of the complaint and frame charges against the accused. If convicted, the Gandhis and Sam Pitroda could face up to seven years in prison and a fine.
The National Herald case has been a contentious issue in Indian politics for years, with the Congress party and the Gandhis denying any wrongdoing. The BJP has been accusing the Gandhis of misusing their power and position to take control of AJL’s assets and to launder money.
The ED’s filing of the prosecution complaint is a significant development in the case, and it is likely to have major implications for the Gandhis and the Congress party. The case is also likely to have far-reaching consequences for Indian politics, as it could lead to a major scandal that could tarnish the reputation of the Gandhi family and the Congress party.
In a statement, the Congress party has denied any wrongdoing and has accused the BJP of using the ED to harass and intimidate the Gandhis. The party has also claimed that the ED’s complaint is based on “cooked-up” evidence and is an attempt to “frame” the Gandhis.
The Gandhis and Sam Pitroda have been given time to file their responses to the ED’s complaint, and the court is likely to take up the matter in the coming weeks.
The National Herald case is just the latest in a series of corruption allegations that have been made against the Gandhi family and the Congress party. The family has been accused of corruption and crony capitalism, and the party has been criticized for its ties to big business and its lack of transparency.
The case is a significant blow to the Gandhi family and the Congress party, and it could have major implications for Indian politics. The ED’s filing of the prosecution complaint is a major development in the case, and it is likely to have far-reaching consequences for the Gandhis and the Congress party.
