New twist in National Herald case: rahul Gandhi's lawyer said- congress tried to save AJL, not sell it
In the National Herald case, rahul Gandhi's lawyer, RS Cheema, argued in court that congress had tried to save AJL, not sell it. He described AJL as a legacy of independence. At the same time, ED has accused the gandhi family of allegedly misappropriating property worth ₹2,000 crores and engaging in money laundering. At present, arguments on both sides are going on in the case.
Senior advocate RS Cheema, appearing on behalf of congress leader rahul gandhi in the court on saturday in the National Herald case, made a big statement. He said that the All india congress Committee had tried to save the institution, not sell the properties of Associated Journals Limited (AJL). He also said that AJL is not just a newspaper, but a legacy related to the country's freedom struggle, which needed to be revived.
Cheema, while presenting his arguments before Special Judge vishal Gogne, said that AJL was not a profit-making company. It was started in 1937 by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, jb Kriplani, Rafi ahmed Kidwai, and other freedom fighters. Its purpose was to convey the policies of the congress party to the people, not to do business.
Rahul Gandhi's lawyer said that after independence, AJL was never a profitable organization. congress only wanted this organization to become active again and return to its original purpose. Cheema taunted and said that the Enforcement Directorate (ED) lawyer has not yet presented AJL's Memorandum of Association in the court, whereas the truth could have come out from it.
In this case, the Enforcement Directorate has accused sonia gandhi, rahul gandhi, late congress leader Motilal Vora, oscar Fernandes, suman Dubey, sam Pitroda, and private company Young indian of conspiracy and money laundering. ED claims that Young indian Company fraudulently took over AJL's assets worth about Rs 2000 crore.
Questions raised on the gandhi family's stake in Young Indian
The ED says that rahul and sonia gandhi have a 76 percent stake in Young Indian. Through this stake, they gained control over AJL's properties. The agency has alleged that in exchange for a loan of just Rs 90 crore, such a huge property came into the possession of Young indian, which is a violation of the money laundering law.
On Friday, senior advocate abhishek Manu Singhvi completed his arguments in the court on behalf of congress leader sonia Gandhi. He also said that there was no fraud in this case and that the entire process was done legally. Earlier, on July 3, the ED had said that the gandhi family is the real owner of Young indian and they have full control over the company.
Under which sections is the case registered, and who are the accused?
The ED has filed a chargesheet against the gandhi family and others under sections 3 (money laundering) and 4 (punishment for money laundering) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). suman Dubey, sam Pitroda, sunil Bhandari, Young indian, and Dotex Merchandise Private Limited are also accused in this case. Arguments of both sides are currently going on in the court, after which the next decision will be announced.
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