FIR of criminal conspiracy against Rahul and Sonia Gandhi in National Herald case. Based on the ED report, Delhi Police started investigation into transactions worth Rs 2,000 crore, including Young Indian and AJL companies.
New Delhi. There is a stir again in the National Herald case. The Economic Offenses Wing (EOW) of Delhi Police has registered a new FIR against six people including Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi. It is alleged that a case of fraudulent possession and criminal conspiracy has been made against AJL, the parent company of National Herald newspaper. Apart from Rahul-Sonia Gandhi, names of Sam Pitroda, Motilal Vora, Oscar Fernandes and Suman Dubey are also there in the FIR. Besides, a case has also been registered against three companies – AJL, Young Indian and Dotex Merchandize Pvt Ltd.
What is the dispute between Young Indian and AJL?
Rahul and Sonia Gandhi hold 76% shares in Young Indian, a not-for-profit company formed in 2010. It is alleged that Dotex, an alleged shell company of Kolkata, gave Rs 1 crore to Young Indian. Through this, Young Indian returned Rs 50 lakh to Congress and took over AJL, whose assets are believed to be around Rs 2,000 crore.
What did ED say?
This FIR is based on the ED report dated October 3. Under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) Section 66(2), ED can ask any agency to investigate any crime. This FIR matter came to light a day after Delhi Court postponed its decision in the National Herald case till December 16.
What is the old story of the National Herald case?
The National Herald case began in 2012, when BJP leader Subramanian Swamy filed a case in the court. The allegation was that Congress leaders committed fraud and breach of trust in the acquisition of AJL. National Herald newspaper was started in 1938 by Jawaharlal Nehru and freedom fighters. In 2008, the newspaper closed due to financial crunch, leaving AJL with a debt of about Rs 90 crore. To repay this, Congress gave a loan of Rs 90 crore in 10 years, which was later converted into equity shares. Congress said that the party could not hold equity shares, so Young Indian was allotted, and thus Young Indian became the majority shareholder of AJL, with two Gandhi leaders as directors.
Is there a direct allegation against Rahul-Sonia Gandhi in the FIR?
Yes. The FIR claims that the Gandhi family has committed criminal conspiracy and money laundering of assets worth Rs 2,000 crore. Now Delhi Police is investigating it and the matter is in the headlines.
Is there a new twist ahead?
The National Herald case has always been controversial. This new step in the FIR makes the investigation against the Gandhi family more serious. Before the decision on December 16, this new FIR is raising many questions – can there be more investigation on Congress leaders?