Synopsis
The Enforcement Directorate has filed a prosecution complaint against Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in a money laundering case involving the National Herald. The court will hear the case on April 25, amidst allegations of significant financial misconduct related to properties worth hundreds of crores.Key Takeaways
- ED has filed charges against Sonia and Rahul Gandhi.
- The case involves money laundering linked to National Herald.
- Properties worth Rs 661 crore have been attached.
- Investigation reveals significant undervaluation of AJL properties.
- Complaints highlight a conspiracy among several political leaders.
New Delhi, April 15 (NationPress) In a significant move against influential politicians, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has lodged a prosecution complaint in a Special Delhi court against Congress MPs Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi regarding the alleged National Herald or Associated Journals Limited (AJL) money laundering case, as confirmed by a legal representative on Tuesday.
The Special Court has scheduled April 25 to hear arguments concerning the acceptance of the prosecution complaint.
Other individuals mentioned in the charges include Congress Overseas Chief Sam Pitroda, Suman Dubey, and several others.
This new complication for Congress-controlled AJL arises shortly after the ED issued notices to registrars of properties in Delhi, Mumbai, and Lucknow to take ownership of attached assets valued at Rs 661 crore.
These assets were seized after investigations revealed significant generation, possession, and utilization of crime proceeds amounting to Rs 988 crore.
In Delhi, notices were affixed to the wall of AJL property-5 (A), Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg, situated in Central Delhi, which houses various media companies and newspaper offices.
The notices were served on Friday following Section 8 of PMLA, 2002 and Rule 5(1) of the Prevention of Money Laundering (Taking Possession of Attached or Frozen Properties Confirmed by the Adjudicating Authority) Rules, 2013.
In Mumbai, a notice was also issued to Jindal South West Projects Limited, which occupies the 7th, 8th, and 9th floors of Herald House in Bandra (East).
Jindal South West Projects was instructed to remit the monthly rent/lease payment directly to the Director, Directorate of Enforcement.
In Lucknow, notices were affixed to property number 1, Bisheshwar Nath Road.
Previously, the ED conducted searches and seizures at multiple sites, uncovering incriminating documentation related to the alleged money laundering activities.
The investigation revealed that Young Indian, a private entity beneficially owned by Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, acquired AJL properties valued at Rs 2,000 crore for a mere Rs 50 lakh, grossly undervaluing their worth.
The ED inquiry also suggested that Young Indian and AJL properties were utilized to generate further proceeds of crime through fictitious donations totaling Rs 18 crore, fictitious advance rents amounting to Rs 38 crore, and fictitious advertisements worth Rs 29 crore.
The ED's investigation commenced in 2021, based on a cognizance order issued on June 26, 2014, by the Metropolitan Magistrate of Patiala House Courts in New Delhi, following a private complaint filed by Subramanian Swamy.
The complaint raised concerns about a criminal conspiracy involving several prominent political figures, including Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Oscar Fernandes, Suman Dubey, Sam Pitroda, and Young Indian regarding their alleged involvement in a money laundering scheme.
