New Delhi. The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has taken a big step in the much talked about money laundering case related to National Herald. ED has now challenged in Delhi High Court the decision of Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court, in which the court had refused to take cognizance of the charge sheet filed by ED. This case is related to a total of seven accused including top Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. In the petition filed in the High Court, ED has demanded that the decision of the Rouse Avenue Court be reviewed and the way be opened for further judicial action on the allegations of money laundering. The agency says that it has sufficient documents and evidence in this case, on the basis of which trial against the accused is necessary. Earlier on December 16, Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court had refused to take cognizance of the ED’s charge sheet. However, the court had also made it clear in its order that if the ED wishes, it can continue further investigation in this case. Now ED has approached the High Court against this order.
In the chargesheet filed by the ED, Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Sam Pitroda, Suman Dubey, Sunil Bhandari, as well as Young Indian and Dotex Merchandise Pvt Ltd have been named as accused. The agency alleges that these people together wrongly took over assets worth more than Rs 2,000 crore of Associated Journals Limited (AJL).
ED claims that during the investigation, important evidence related to fraud and money laundering has come to light. According to the agency, a conspiracy was hatched to acquire the assets of AJL at a very low price and through this, illegal profits were made.
The National Herald case has been a topic of discussion in the country’s politics for a long time. The Congress party has been continuously calling it an act of political vendetta, while the ED says that it is investigating independently under the law.
Now, after the hearing of this petition in the Delhi High Court, it will be decided what stand will be taken on the decision of the Rouse Avenue Court and whether the judicial process will proceed further in this high-profile case.
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