The National Herald corruption case is an ongoing case in a Delhi court brought by Indian economist and politician Subramanian Swamy against Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, their enterprises, and related individuals. According to a case filed at the Metropolitan Magistrate’s court, Associated Journals Limited (AJL) received an interest-free loan from the Indian National Congress in the amount of Rs 90.25 crore.
The loan is said to have gone unpaid.In November 2010, a closely held company, Young Indian, was formed with a capital of 50 lakh, and it bought practically all of AJL’s shares and properties worth an estimated 5,000 crore. Swamy accused both Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi of larceny.
About National Herald Case
Subramanian Swamy filed a private case in a Delhi court on November 1, 2012, saying that Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi committed fraud and land grabbing of US $16 billion by purchasing Associated Journals Limited (AJL) through their own private firm, “Young Indian.”
He further claimed that they had obtained the publication rights to the National Herald and Qaumi Awaz newspapers, as well as real estate holdings in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh, as a result of the scam. He claimed that the government gave the properties to him for the sole purpose of producing newspapers, but that they were instead used to run a passport office with rental income in the millions of rupees.
According to his court complaint, on February 26, 2011, AJL approved the transfer of an unsecured loan of Rs 90 crore from the All India Congress Committee at zero interest, along with all 90 million (9 crore) of the company’s shares of 10 (13 US) each to Young Indian.
Swamy said that under Sections 29A to C of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, and Section 13A of the Income-tax Act, 1961, it is unlawful for a political party to lend money for commercial reasons, and urged a probe by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the de-recognition of the Indian National Congress party for utilising public funds. The party answered on November 2, 2012, that the loan had been granted.
The magistrate heard the criminal proceedings case numerous times, while the defendants objected to the petition and sought the magistrate to dismiss it. Finally, the court found assumed evidence against all of the defendants. The defendants have been summoned to appear in court to defend themselves against all of the charges in Swamy’s case.
Third round of questioning on day 3
Under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), his statement was recorded in a couple of sessions, and after Tuesday’s questioning, he had clocked almost 21 hours of questioning by ED investigators. He was once again called on Wednesday for round 3.
In the first half of the day, Rahul Gandhi with the Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh and Rajasthan with other MP’s protested at Congress headquarter.
Baghel tells the Centre that stifling Rahul Gandhi’s voice will cost them a ‘hefty price’
Bhupesh Baghel,Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh speaking at a news conference, stated, “We are now unable to bring our own personnel to the AICC headquarters. Office bearers are not permitted to attend the meeting. Only two CMs are allowed to visit here, and no one else is allowed. This type of circumstance, when members of political parties are unable to run for office, has never occurred. What is causing this?”
Sachin Pilot and other top leaders detained for protesting
Senior Congress leader Sachin Pilot was held outside the Congress headquarters today in the middle of protests against Rahul Gandhi’s questioning by the Enforcement Directorate in an alleged money laundering case involving the National Herald newspaper. According to accounts, Mr Pilot was stopped and taken away in a police bus while going to visit the party headquarters.
#WATCH Congress leader Sachin Pilot detained by police amid protests by party workers over the questioning of Rahul Gandhi by the Enforcement Directorate in the National Herald case#Delhi pic.twitter.com/smlKTJ62hS
— ANI (@ANI) June 15, 2022
Not only Sachin Pilot but hundreds of other top leaders, congress officials and supporters were detained on the second day for protesting against ED’s actions outside the congress headquarters at Akbar Road in Delhi.
On Tuesday, the Delhi Police detained 217 Congress workers and leaders from the New Delhi area, including 15 MPs, for protesting in defiance of prohibitory orders and after being denied permission. According to a police officer, they were later freed.
