New Delhi, December 19: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has challenged in the Delhi High Court the trial court’s order refusing to take cognizance of the charge sheet filed by ED against Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in the money laundering case related to National Herald. ED has challenged the order of Delhi High Court dated December 16.
Actually, on December 16, Rouse Avenue Court had refused to take cognizance of the ED charge sheet against Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. Rouse Avenue Court had said that cognizance of ED charge sheet cannot be taken on the basis of any private complaint.
During the hearing in the trial court, ED had said that people who donated to Congress were cheated. ED said that some of those who donated were given tickets. ASG SV Raju opposed the Gandhi family’s argument that they had no control over Associated Journals Limited (AJL). He stated that AJL was originally the publisher of National Herald.
Senior advocate RS Cheema, representing Rahul Gandhi, argued that Congress did not attempt to sell AJL but rather wanted to save the organization because it was part of the freedom movement. Cheema questioned why the ED was not producing AJL’s memorandum of association. AJL was founded by Jawaharlal Nehru, JB Kripalani, Rafi Ahmed Kidwai, and other Congress leaders in 1937. Cheema argued that AJL’s memorandum of association stated that all its policies would be those of the Congress.
Senior advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, representing Sonia Gandhi, argued that the ED had built a surprising and unexpected case. He added that the ED had built a case that was even more surprising. This is a money laundering case without any mention of property. Singhvi stated that Young Indian initiated the entire operation to free Associated General Limited from debt. He stated that every company takes legal steps to free itself from debt. Singhvi stated that the ED did nothing for years and initiated action based on a private complaint.
On May 2, the court issued notices to seven accused, including Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, in this case. The ED filed a prosecution complaint in the court on April 15. The ED has named Congress leader Sonia Gandhi, Leader of the Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, and Sam Pitroda as accused in this case. The ED filed the complaint under sections 44 and 45 of the Money Laundering Act.