This order was issued following a petition by Subramanian Swamy in 2013. Sources indicate that the ED found ample evidence during its investigation, leading to the filing of the chargesheet which also names Congress leaders Sam Pitroda and Suman Dubey as accused individuals.
In response to the chargesheet, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh condemned the actions as state-sponsored crimes and accused the government of engaging in vendThe Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a chargesheet against Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in connection with the National Herald case, along with other accused individuals. The chargesheet was submitted in a special PMLA court on April 9 and was examined by Special Judge Vishal Gogne on Tuesday, with the matter being scheduled for further consideration on April 25.
The ED had previously served notices to seize immovable assets worth Rs 661 crore in Delhi, Mumbai, and Lucknow that were attached as part of the money laundering probe involving Associated Journals Limited (AJL) and Young Indian. Sonia and Rahul are majority shareholders of Young Indian, which is under scrutiny for allegedly acquiring AJL and its assets for a nominal amount despite their significant value.
The ED’s case stems from a trial court order that permitted the Income Tax department to investigate the National Herald affairs and conduct a tax assessment of Sonia etta politics. He asserted that the Indian National Congress and its leadership would not remain silent in the face of such intimidation tactics.
The ED’s investigation, initiated in 2021 after a Delhi court took cognizance of a private complaint filed by Subramanian Swamy, revealed an alleged criminal conspiracy involving prominent political figures and a private company in a money laundering scheme related to the takeover of assets belonging to AJL. The ED’s actions in the National Herald case continue to draw attention and criticism from various quarters.
