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In a major development in the National Herald case, Delhi Police has filed a fresh FIR against Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Sam Pitroda, and other senior Congress leaders following an Enforcement Directorate complaint.
Congress Leaders Accused in Rs 2000 Crore Case
New Delhi: The Delhi Police has filed an FIR against senior Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Sam Pitroda, and others in the National Herald case. The action was taken based on a complaint from the Enforcement Directorate (ED), which is investigating this high-profile money laundering case. It is alleged that the top Congress leadership misused their positions to gain personal gain.
According to official sources, the FIR lists charges under sections 120B (criminal conspiracy), 403 (dishonestly misappropriating property), 406 (criminal breach of trust), and 420 (cheating) of the Indian Penal Code. The accused list includes Suman Dubey, Young Indian, Dotex Merchandise Ltd, Sunil Bhandari, AJL, and unknown others.
The ED filed the FIR under Section 66(2) of the PMLA. This section allows the central agency to advance a money laundering investigation by sharing information about criminal antecedents.
The ED alleges that AJL properties were acquired through Young Indian for a mere ₹50 lakh, while their actual value was over ₹2,000 crore. This scheme revealed the "beneficial ownership" of Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. The ED claimed that the Congress leadership used AJL properties for personal gain.
The Rouse Avenue Court adjourned its decision on taking cognizance of the charge sheet until December 16. Special Judge Vishal Gogan will pronounce its order on that day. The court stated that all accused have the right to present their case in a fair trial.
Earlier, the ED had questioned Sonia and Rahul Gandhi for hours. The investigation into the case began following a complaint filed by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy on June 26, 2014. Allegations of irregularities in AJL's financial transactions prompted the ED to intensify its money laundering investigation.
The Congress party has called the investigation a "petty vendetta" and labeled the ED an "alliance partner" of the BJP. The party says the FIR is a politically targeted action.
On December 16, the court will decide whether to take cognizance of the ED's charge sheet. The legal process will become clear only after the hearing.
