ED moves Delhi HC against trial court’s ruling in National Herald case
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has taken a significant step in the National Herald case by approaching the Delhi High Court to challenge the trial court’s order that refused to take cognisance of the money laundering complaint against top Congress leaders, including Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and others. The ED’s move comes after the trial court’s ruling, which was seen as a setback for the investigation agency, and is likely to reignite the controversy surrounding the case.
At the heart of the matter is the alleged wrongful takeover of assets worth over ₹2,000 crore belonging to Associated Journals Limited (AJL), a company that was once owned by the Congress party. The ED has been investigating the matter, alleging that the assets were transferred to a new company, Young Indian Private Limited, in a dubious manner, with the Gandhi family and other Congress leaders being the beneficiaries.
The National Herald case has been a long-standing controversy, with the ED launching an investigation into the matter in 2014. The agency has been probing the alleged money laundering and financial irregularities in the transfer of AJL’s assets to Young Indian Private Limited. The ED has alleged that the transfer of assets was done with the intention of gaining control over the valuable properties and assets of AJL, which includes prime real estate in Delhi and other parts of the country.
The trial court’s order, which was passed earlier, had declined to take cognisance of the ED’s complaint, citing that there was no evidence to suggest that the accused had committed any offence under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The court had also observed that the ED’s complaint was based on a “misinterpretation” of the facts and that there was no evidence to support the allegations of money laundering.
However, the ED has now approached the Delhi High Court, challenging the trial court’s order and arguing that the court had erred in its judgment. The ED has contended that the trial court had failed to appreciate the evidence on record and had not taken into account the statements of key witnesses, including those of the accused themselves.
The ED’s appeal to the Delhi High Court is likely to be heard in the coming weeks, and the outcome of the case will be closely watched by politicians, lawyers, and the media. The case has significant implications for the Congress party and its leaders, who have been facing intense scrutiny over their dealings in the National Herald case.
The National Herald case has been a major embarrassment for the Congress party, with the opposition parties, including the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), launching a fierce attack on the Gandhi family and other Congress leaders. The BJP has alleged that the Congress party had engaged in a “scam” to transfer the assets of AJL to Young Indian Private Limited, and that the ED’s investigation had uncovered a “web of deceit” involving the Gandhi family and other Congress leaders.
The ED’s investigation into the National Herald case has been ongoing for several years, with the agency conducting raids and searches at various premises, including the offices of Young Indian Private Limited and the residences of the accused. The agency has also questioned several key witnesses, including the accused themselves, and has collected a large amount of documentary evidence.
The case has also seen several twists and turns, with the ED filing multiple complaints and chargesheets against the accused. The agency has alleged that the accused had engaged in a complex web of financial transactions, involving shell companies and other entities, to transfer the assets of AJL to Young Indian Private Limited.
As the case heads to the Delhi High Court, the stakes are high for all parties involved. The ED will be keen to prove its case and demonstrate that the accused had indeed engaged in money laundering and other financial irregularities. The accused, on the other hand, will be hoping to get a favourable ruling from the court, which could potentially bring an end to the long-standing controversy.
In conclusion, the ED’s move to approach the Delhi High Court against the trial court’s ruling in the National Herald case is a significant development in the ongoing saga. The case has far-reaching implications for the Congress party and its leaders, and the outcome of the appeal will be closely watched by all. As the case continues to unfold, one thing is certain – the National Herald case will remain a major talking point in Indian politics for a long time to come.
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