Delhi High Court to Review ED's Appeal in National Herald Case Involving Congress Leaders
Hearing Scheduled for National Herald Case
New Delhi: On Monday, the Delhi High Court is set to hear a criminal revision petition submitted by the Enforcement Directorate (ED). This petition contests a trial court's decision that declined to acknowledge the ED's money laundering complaint against Sonia Gandhi, Chairperson of the Congress Parliamentary Party, Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha, and others involved in the National Herald case.
According to the court's published schedule, Justice Ravinder Dudeja will preside over the ED's appeal against the Rouse Avenue Court's ruling, which dismissed the prosecution complaint filed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
Previously, on Tuesday, Special Judge Vishal Gogne from the Rouse Avenue Court had rejected the ED's complaint, stating it was not legally maintainable.
While the court provided relief to Sonia and Rahul Gandhi, it noted that the ED could continue its investigation as permitted by law. The ED's complaint also included Congress Overseas chief Sam Pitroda, Suman Dubey, Sunil Bhandari, Young Indian, and Dotex Merchandise Private Limited as proposed defendants.
This prominent case involves accusations that senior Congress figures colluded to unlawfully gain control over assets exceeding Rs 2,000 crore belonging to Associated Journals Ltd (AJL), the original publisher of the National Herald newspaper, by paying a mere Rs 50 lakh through Young Indian, a company where Sonia and Rahul Gandhi hold majority shares.
The ED has contended that this situation constitutes a "serious economic offence" and alleged that a conspiracy was formed to create Young Indian to seize AJL's properties for a minimal amount, primarily benefiting the senior Congress leadership.
Additionally, the ED claimed that various senior Congress members were implicated in "fake transactions," including the issuance of fraudulent advance rent payments backed by forged rent receipts. However, the Congress leadership has consistently refuted these claims, labeling the money laundering case as "truly bizarre" and "unprecedented."
The dispute regarding the National Herald's assets gained attention in 2012 when BJP leader Subramanian Swamy lodged a complaint in a trial court, alleging that Congress leaders had committed cheating and breach of trust during the acquisition of AJL.