Gangs of Gandhinagar’ misusing agencies: Congress on National Herald row
The recent developments in the National Herald case have sparked a fresh wave of controversy, with the Congress party alleging that the Centre is misusing central agencies to target its leadership. The case, which involves allegations of money laundering against Sonia and Rahul Gandhi, took a significant turn when a Delhi court refused to take cognisance of the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) charges. This decision has been seen as a major setback for the Centre, which had been pushing for action against the Gandhi family.
The Congress party was quick to react to the court’s decision, with spokesperson Pawan Khera launching a scathing attack on the Centre. “The gangs of Gandhinagar’s misuse of central agencies stands exposed today,” Khera said, using the term “Gangs of Gandhinagar” to refer to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. The term is a play on the title of a popular Bollywood film, “Gangs of Wasseypur,” and is meant to imply that the two leaders are using their power and influence to target their political opponents.
The National Herald case has been a long-standing controversy, with the ED alleging that the Gandhi family had used their control over the National Herald newspaper to launder money and accumulate wealth. The case was first filed in 2012, but it gained momentum in 2015 when the ED launched an investigation into the matter. The agency alleged that the Gandhi family had used their control over the Associated Journals Ltd (AJL), which published the National Herald, to acquire valuable real estate in Delhi and other parts of the country.
The Congress party has consistently maintained that the case is a politically motivated attempt to target its leadership. The party has argued that the ED’s investigation is based on flawed assumptions and that the agency has failed to provide any credible evidence to support its allegations. The party has also pointed out that the case is a clear example of the Centre’s misuse of power and its attempt to intimidate and silence its opponents.
The court’s decision to refuse cognisance of the ED’s charges is a significant blow to the Centre’s efforts to pursue the case. The court’s order is based on the fact that the ED’s investigation is incomplete and that the agency has failed to provide sufficient evidence to support its allegations. The court’s decision is also seen as a vindication of the Congress party’s stance that the case is a politically motivated attempt to target its leadership.
The Congress party has welcomed the court’s decision, with Khera saying that it is a “victory for the truth” and a “defeat for the Centre’s conspiracy” against the Gandhi family. The party has also demanded that the Centre should apologize for its “misuse of power” and its attempt to “intimidate and silence” its opponents.
The National Herald case is not the only instance of the Centre’s alleged misuse of power and central agencies. The Congress party has pointed out that the Centre has been using agencies such as the ED, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), and the Income Tax Department to target its opponents and silence its critics. The party has argued that this is a clear example of the Centre’s authoritarian tendencies and its attempt to undermine the democratic institutions of the country.
The controversy surrounding the National Herald case has also raised questions about the independence and autonomy of central agencies. The Congress party has argued that the ED and other agencies have become “caged parrots” of the Centre, and that they are being used to pursue the government’s political agenda. The party has demanded that the agencies should be made independent and autonomous, and that they should be allowed to function without any political interference.
In conclusion, the National Herald case has become a major controversy, with the Congress party alleging that the Centre is misusing central agencies to target its leadership. The court’s decision to refuse cognisance of the ED’s charges is a significant blow to the Centre’s efforts to pursue the case, and it has been seen as a vindication of the Congress party’s stance that the case is a politically motivated attempt to target its leadership. The controversy has also raised questions about the independence and autonomy of central agencies, and it has highlighted the need for reforms to ensure that these agencies are made independent and autonomous.
About the Author
