National Herald Case: Special Judge (PC Act) Vishal Gogne of the Rouse Avenue Court has dismissed the complaint filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) against senior Congress party leaders Sonia and Rahul Gandhi.
The ED had filed a complaint against the Gandhis under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The Court said the entire case was based on a private complaint and not a First Information Report (FIR). The National Herald Case was based on a private complaint filed by Bharatiya Janata Party leader Subramanian Swamy before a magistrate.
The ED had accused Suman Dubey, Sam Pitroda, Young Indian, Dotex Merchandise and Sunil Bhandari along with the Gandhis.
Congress Maintains The Complaint Was Political Vendetta
The Congress Party claimed the Court decision as a ‘huge win.’ It maintains that the probe of ED was an act of political vendetta. In contrast, ED asserted that the National Herald case involved a serious economic offence with evidence of forgery and money laundering.
The Enforcement Directorate also alleged that the properties of Associated Journals Limited, which were valued at over ₹ 2,000 crore, were illegally taken over.
What’s Next For The Gandhis In The National Herald Case?
The ED is likely to appeal against the order passed today by the Rouse Avenue Court. The legal team of ED will evaluate the detailed judgment passed by the Court. Some sources said that the judge may have possibly ignored the relevant paragraphs of the Vijay Madanlal Choudhary judgment.
Congress Blasts BJP
Congress leaders remarked that the illegal and malicious actions of the Modi government have been completely exposed. They added that the Honourable Court found that actions against the Gandhis were motivated by malice and unlawful in nature.
The Congress party ended the post saying ‘Satyameva Jayate.’
