The Enforcement Directorate (ED) is targeting Rahul Gandhi in a raid involving assets worth Rs 830 crore. To date, assets totaling Rs 830 crore have already been confiscated from various individuals, including Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and eight other prominent leaders. All these individuals are under the ED’s radar for their alleged involvement in a significant scam.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has conducted multiple seizures in the National Herald case, leading to the attachment of significant properties. Here are the details of the seizures made so far:
2019 Seizures:
The ED seized properties worth Rs 64 crore in the early stages of the investigation.
2020 Seizures:
In Mumbai, a nine-storey building belonging to the National Herald, valued at Rs 165 crore, was confiscated by the ED.
2023 Seizures:
The most substantial action took place in 2023, with the ED seizing properties worth Rs 751 crore in Delhi and other areas.
Total Seizures
As of now, the total value of the attached properties in the National Herald case amounts to Rs 830 crore. This includes the significant seizures from 2019, 2020, and the major action in 2023.
Rahul Gandhi’s Concerns
Rahul Gandhi recently expressed his concern about an impending ED raid, possibly early Friday morning or at midnight. In a tweet, he claimed to have received inside information from an ED officer about the planned raid. This indicates that, despite the current government, there are Congress loyalists within the ED providing him with information.
The National Herald Case
Rahul Gandhi’s statement sheds light on a longstanding issue between him and the ED. After two years, Rahul Gandhi and the ED are once again in the spotlight. While the ED has not commented on the matter, Rahul Gandhi has openly discussed it, bringing attention to the National Herald issue, which has been under investigation since 2015.
Background of National Herald
The National Herald case has been detailed in previous broadcasts. To summarize, the ED has been investigating this case from a money laundering perspective since 2015, although the case itself dates back to 2012 when Subramanian Swamy filed it. The National Herald is a newspaper established in 1938, before India’s independence, with more than 5000 freedom fighters as shareholders. After independence, substantial assets were allocated to run the National Herald, including valuable buildings and land in cities like Delhi, Lucknow, and Mumbai.
Financial Controversies and Legal Challenges
Subramanian Swamy alleged that between 1990 and 2008, the Congress Party loaned Rs 90 crore to Associated Journals Limited (AJL) to run the National Herald. Questions arise as to why the Congress, rather than a bank, provided this loan. In 2010, the publication of the National Herald was halted, and a new company, Young India Limited, was formed. Rahul and Sonia Gandhi each held 38% shares, while other shares were distributed among a few individuals, including Motilal Vora and Oscar Fernandes.
Formation of Young India Limited
Swamy’s affidavit claimed that in 2009, 90 crore shares of AJL were transferred to Young India Limited to repay the Congress loan. This transfer raised suspicions as Young India Limited was started with a capital of only Rs 5 lakh, yet it acquired assets worth Rs 90 crore. The shareholders were not consulted, leading to allegations of impropriety by individuals like former judges Markandey Katju and Shanti Bhushan.
ED’s Investigation and Seizures
Since 2015, the ED has been actively investigating this matter. Apart from Sonia and Rahul Gandhi, several other leaders are under scrutiny, including Mallikarjun Kharge, Bhupinder Singh Hooda, DK Shivakumar, DK Suresh, Pawan Bansal, and Sam Pitroda. The ED has conducted significant actions, such as questioning Rahul Gandhi extensively in 2022, leading to considerable discomfort and health concerns for him.
Legal Actions and Future Prospects
The ED has questioned Rahul Gandhi about Young India Limited’s acquisition of AJL and the substantial assets involved. The investigation has attached properties worth Rs 830 crore to date, including a nine-storey building in Mumbai valued at Rs 165 crore and properties worth Rs 751 crore in Delhi and other areas.
Current Status of the Case
Despite the extensive investigations, Rahul and Sonia Gandhi have been out on bail since 2015. The case remains unresolved, with the possibility of further inquiries and actions looming. The ED’s ongoing scrutiny indicates that this high-profile case is far from over.
The National Herald case is a significant legal matter involving multi-crore scams. Rahul Gandhi is acutely aware that the inquiry could resume at any time, particularly as substantial property attachments occurred in 2023. His recent behavior suggests he is preparing for further investigations, much like Arvind Kejriwal, raising concerns about potential political vendettas due to his prominent role as Leader of the Opposition.
Discover more from
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.