In a significant legal development, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a chargesheet against Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in the National Herald case. The ED alleges that the Gandhis, through their company Young Indian Ltd, acquired Associated Journals Limited (AJL) and its assets worth approximately ₹2,000 crore for a mere ₹50 lakh. This acquisition is claimed to be a strategic move to gain control over AJL's valuable properties, including those in Delhi, Mumbai, and Lucknow.
The chargesheet invokes sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), citing offenses that could lead to imprisonment of up to seven years. The ED also highlights alleged financial irregularities, such as bogus donations and fabricated transactions, amounting to crores of rupees. The Congress party has dismissed these allegations as politically motivated, asserting that Young Indian Ltd is a non-profit organization established for charitable purposes.
This case has intensified the political discourse in India, with the Congress party accusing the ruling government of using investigative agencies for political vendetta. As the legal proceedings continue, the nation watches closely, anticipating the implications for India's political landscape.