New Delhi: Calling it a “classic case of money laundering”, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday urged a Delhi court to take cognisance of its chargesheet in the National Herald case, alleging the direct involvement of Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in the fraudulent acquisition of properties worth over ₹2,000 crore.
Appearing before Special Judge Vishal Gogne, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) SV Raju argued that the Gandhis, as majority shareholders in Young Indian, acquired full control of the company after the demise of other stakeholders and used it to usurp the assets of Associated Journals Ltd (AJL) — the publisher of the National Herald.
Raju stated, “This is a textbook example of money laundering under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The ₹90 crore loan sanctioned by the All India Congress Committee (AICC) to AJL was orchestrated by the Gandhis, who controlled both AICC and Young Indian.”
He asserted that the Gandhis were the beneficial owners and were instrumental in executing the sham transactions through Young Indian, thereby misappropriating AJL’s assets.
The ASG further named Suman Dubey, Sam Pitroda, Sunil Bhandari, and Dotex Merchandise Private Ltd as co-accused. Dubey, he said, was “a puppet of the Gandhis” who transferred 550 shares to Sonia Gandhi. Pitroda allegedly demanded conversion letters, while Dotex was accused of extending sham loans to launder the proceeds of crime.
The ED has invoked Sections 3 and 4 of the PMLA in its chargesheet, which includes allegations of conspiracy and financial manipulation against the Gandhis, the now-deceased Motilal Vora and Oscar Fernandes, as well as other named individuals and entities.
“These transactions were not possible without the direct knowledge, consent, and involvement of the accused, including Sonia and Rahul Gandhi,” Raju submitted to the court.
The hearing will resume on July 4, with the court expected to deliberate on whether to take cognisance of the chargesheet.
