Synopsis
The Enforcement Directorate has taken steps to seize properties worth Rs 661 crore linked to Associated Journals Limited, controlled by the Congress party, in New Delhi, Mumbai, and Lucknow due to alleged money laundering activities involving prominent political figures.Key Takeaways
- The Enforcement Directorate issued notices to seize Rs 661 crore in properties.
- AJL, controlled by the Congress party, is under investigation for money laundering.
- Incriminating documents were discovered during searches.
- Young Indian, owned by Sonia and Rahul Gandhi, undervalued properties significantly.
- The investigation began in 2021 following a complaint by Subramanian Swamy.
New Delhi, April 12 (NationPress) In a significant escalation for the Congress party-controlled Associated Journals Limited (AJL), the Enforcement Directorate has issued notices to property registrars in Delhi, Mumbai, and Lucknow for the seizure of properties valued at Rs 661 crore, as confirmed by an official on Saturday.
These assets were attached following an investigation that uncovered substantial generation, possession, and utilization of proceeds of crime amounting to Rs 988 crore.
In Delhi, notices were affixed to the wall of the AJL property located at 5 (A), Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg in Central Delhi, where numerous media houses and newspaper offices operate.
The notices were issued on Friday in accordance with Section 8 of the 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 served to Jindal South West Projects Limited, which occupies the 7th, 8th, and 9th floors of Herald House, Bandra (East).
Jindal South West Projects was instructed to remit the rent/lease payments monthly to the Director of the Directorate of Enforcement.
In Lucknow, notices were affixed to the property at 1, Bisheshwar Nath Road.
Previously, the ED conducted searches across multiple locations, revealing incriminating documents associated with alleged money laundering activities.
The investigation disclosed that Young Indian, a private entity primarily owned by Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, acquired AJL properties valued at Rs 2,000 crore for a mere Rs 50 lakh, significantly underestimating their actual worth.
The ED's inquiry also suggested that properties held by Young Indian and AJL were exploited to generate further proceeds of crime through fictitious donations of Rs 18 crore, false advance rents of Rs 38 crore, and sham advertisements amounting to Rs 29 crore.
The ED's investigation began in 2021, following a cognizance order issued on June 26, 2014, by the Metropolitan Magistrate at Patiala House Courts in New Delhi, based on a private complaint lodged by Subramanian Swamy.
This complaint pointed out a criminal conspiracy involving various prominent political figures, including Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, the late Motilal Vohra, the late Oscar Fernandes, Suman Dubey, Sam Pitroda, and Young Indian concerning their alleged roles in a money laundering case.
Legal actions against the accused have encountered obstacles; however, both the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court of India have upheld the investigation, allowing it to move forward, as stated by the ED.
