Rouse Avenue Court postpones decision on ED’s National Herald chargesheet — verdict set for this date

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): The Rouse Avenue Court on Saturday deferred its decision on taking cognizance of the charge sheet filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the National Herald money laundering case. The court will now deliver its order on December 16, despite the Congress party's contention that the ED investigation amounts to political vendetta.

In this case, Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi, Congress Overseas Chief Sam Pitroda, Suman Dubey, Sunil Bhandari, Young Indian and Dotex Merchandise Pvt Ltd have been made accused under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). ED alleges that top Congress leaders illegally took over the properties of Associated Journals Limited (AJL) worth more than Rs 2,000 crore. The agency claims that this entire scheme was done for just Rs 50 lakh through a company named Young Indian. Sonia and Rahul Gandhi have majority stake in this company.

The court reserved its order on November 7th, seeking additional clarifications from the ED. Special Judge (PC Act) Vishal Gogane stated that certain documents and financial transaction details needed to be examined in more detail. After examining the case records, the court stated that a decision could be made only after a detailed examination of the transaction documents, alleged rent receipts, and the entire pattern of fund flow.

The court had said, "The Additional Solicitor General has provided the necessary clarifications in light of the examination of the case files. The order will now be pronounced on December 16." The ED says it has found clear evidence of fraud and money laundering, and that this constitutes a serious economic crime. Meanwhile, the Congress party claims this is an act of political vendetta. They say Young Indian was formed under legal rules and there is no personal gain involved.

The ED has alleged that, at the direction of several senior Congress leaders, certain individuals, over the years, fraudulently showed advance rent payments and issued fake rent receipts. According to the agency, this was part of a scheme to gain control of AJL's properties.

The dispute began in 2012, when BJP leader Subramanian Swamy filed a complaint in the trial court. He alleged fraud and breach of trust by Congress leaders in the acquisition process of AJL. The next hearing in the case will be held on December 16, when the court will decide whether to take cognizance of the ED's charge sheet.