Court Dismisses ED's Case Against Congress Leaders: A Major Setback for Modi Government

Court Ruling Highlights Allegations Against Congress Leaders

New Delhi: On Tuesday, the Congress party asserted that the illegitimacy of the Narendra Modi administration and its politically charged legal actions have been thoroughly revealed after a court declined to acknowledge the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) money laundering allegations against Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, and others involved in the National Herald case.

Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate stated that the court has deemed the ED's actions against the party's leadership, including Sonia and Rahul Gandhi, as entirely unlawful and malicious.

She emphasized that the court's decision exposes the Modi government's malafide intentions, noting that the ED's case lacks jurisdiction and is devoid of a First Information Report (FIR), which is essential for any legal proceedings.

Shrinate remarked that the politically motivated actions taken by the Modi government over the past decade against the principal opposition party have been laid bare for the Indian populace.

She further stated that there is no evidence of money laundering, no illicit proceeds, and no transfer of property, labeling the allegations as unfounded and part of a political witch hunt aimed at damaging reputations.

The Congress party remains steadfast in its commitment to uphold the truth and the rights of all Indians, asserting that they will not be intimidated in their pursuit of justice.

The court's refusal to acknowledge the ED's money laundering claims against Congress leaders, including Rahul and Sonia Gandhi, along with five others, was based on the fact that the chargesheet stemmed from a private complaint rather than an FIR related to a predicate offense.

The judge stated that proceeding with the case would be legally impermissible, as the Delhi Police's Economic Offences Wing has already filed an FIR regarding the matter, making it premature to evaluate the ED's arguments.

The ED has accused Sonia and Rahul Gandhi, along with deceased party leaders Motilal Vora and Oscar Fernandes, and others, of conspiracy and money laundering.

It is alleged that they acquired properties valued at around Rs 2,000 crore belonging to Associated Journals Limited (AJL), the publisher of the National Herald newspaper.

The agency further claims that the Gandhis hold a 76 percent majority stake in Young Indian, which allegedly misappropriated AJL's assets in exchange for a Rs 90 crore loan.