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, challenging the trial court order that declined to take cognisance of the money laundering complaint against Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and others. The case, which has been ongoing for several years, revolves around the alleged wrongful takeover of assets worth over ₹2,000 crore belonging to Associated Journals Limited (AJL).
The ED’s decision to move the Delhi High Court comes after the trial court’s ruling, which was seen as a setback for the investigating agency. The trial court had declined to take cognisance of the money laundering complaint, citing lack of evidence and irregularities in the investigation. However, the ED has argued that the trial court’s order was erroneous and that there is sufficient evidence to proceed with the case against the accused.
The National Herald case began in 2012, when a complaint was filed by Subramanian Swamy, a BJP leader, alleging that Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and other Congress leaders had misused their positions to acquire assets belonging to AJL, a company that published the National Herald newspaper. The complaint alleged that the Congress leaders had used their influence to take over the assets of AJL, which were valued at over ₹2,000 crore, and had then used these assets for personal gain.
The ED launched an investigation into the allegations and filed a charge sheet against the accused in 2018. However, the trial court’s ruling, which declined to take cognisance of the complaint, has put a spanner in the works. The ED has argued that the trial court’s order was based on a flawed understanding of the law and that there is sufficient evidence to proceed with the case.
The ED’s appeal to the Delhi High Court is likely to be heard in the coming weeks, and the outcome is expected to have significant implications for the case. If the Delhi High Court overturns the trial court’s order, it could pave the way for the prosecution of the accused, including Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. On the other hand, if the Delhi High Court upholds the trial court’s order, it could deal a significant blow to the ED’s investigation and potentially bring an end to the case.
The National Herald case has been a high-profile one, with many seeing it as a test of the government’s commitment to fighting corruption. The case has also been the subject of much controversy, with many accusing the government of using the ED to target opposition leaders. However, the ED has maintained that it is simply following the law and that the investigation is based on credible evidence.
As the case progresses, it will be interesting to see how the Delhi High Court rules on the ED’s appeal. The outcome is likely to have significant implications not just for the accused but also for the government and the opposition. The case has already been the subject of much debate and discussion, and it is likely to continue to be a major talking point in the coming weeks and months.
In conclusion, the ED’s decision to move the Delhi High Court against the trial court’s ruling in the National Herald case is a significant development. The case, which has been ongoing for several years, has been the subject of much controversy and debate. The outcome of the ED’s appeal is likely to have significant implications for the accused, the government, and the opposition, and it will be interesting to see how the Delhi High Court rules on the matter.
The National Herald case is a complex one, with many twists and turns. However, one thing is clear: the case has the potential to have a significant impact on Indian politics. As the case progresses, it will be important to follow the developments closely and to consider the implications of the outcome.
For now, it remains to be seen how the Delhi High Court will rule on the ED’s appeal. However, one thing is certain: the National Herald case will continue to be a major talking point in the coming weeks and months.
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