BJP MP Ravi Shankar Prasad criticized Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi over the National Herald PMLA case, saying that big buildings were built on government land at cheap rates and this is a clear case of loot. His statement came after the Economic Offenses Wing (EOW) of Delhi Police on Sunday registered a new FIR against Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi in the National Herald money laundering case.
Terming Congress’s allegations baseless, BJP leader and former Union Law Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said, “We condemn the baseless and false allegations being made by the Congress party. Big buildings were built on government land at cheap rates. But this new company, in which Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi have 76% stake, became the owner of the entire property. It is worth thousands of crores of rupees. So, by paying just Rs 50 lakh on a loan of Rs 90 crore, he acquired Associate transferred the General’s shareholding to his new company and through it, he acquired ownership of all buildings across the country.
He further said, “When the complaint was filed, they went to the court to quash it. The Delhi High Court refused… You will collect property worth thousands of crores of rupees all over India and claim that you are being framed, then it is a clear case of dacoity. And one thing the country needs to know is that the FIR lodged by the Delhi Police has booked Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi under sections 120B (criminal conspiracy) and 420 (criminal Charges have also been filed under IPC (conspiracy). Since this is an old case, the old criminal code will apply.”
Apart from Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi, six names are included in the FIR. The FIR was lodged after the ED headquarters lodged a complaint with the Economic Offenses Wing (EOW). Meanwhile, Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court again postponed its decision on whether to take cognizance of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) chargesheet in the National Herald money laundering case.
The chargesheet names several senior Congress leaders including Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Sam Pitroda, Suman Dubey and others under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The ED has alleged financial irregularities involving Associated Journals Limited (AJL), the parent publisher of National Herald. The court will now pronounce its verdict on December 16. Earlier, the court had issued notices to Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and others saying they have the “right to be heard” before taking any decision on cognizance. Special Judge Vishal Gogane stressed that this right is essential for a fair trial, as also enshrined in Section 223 of the New Criminal Procedure Code (BNSS).
The National Herald case arose from a complaint filed by former MP Subramanian Swamy, alleging misappropriation of funds by Congress leaders and companies linked to AJL.