New Delhi: On Friday, a Delhi court refused the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) prayers to issue immediate notices to Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in connection with the money laundering case involving the National Herald newspaper. The court referred to the lack of essential documents in the chargesheet filed by the central agency as the primary reason for its decision.
For several years, the ED has been investigating the case FIRED based on alleged financial irregularities by the Gandhis in the acquisition of assets by Young Indian Pvt Ltd – a company they controlled. According to the chargesheet, the accused numbers one and two are Sonia and Rahul Gandhi.
According to the ED, hearing of the complaint under various provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), cognisance of the complaint should not be taken without first hearing the accused. “I don’t want this order to become ongoing.” The ED urged that ‘let notice be issued.’
However, Special Judge Vishal Gogne also said that the court should be satisfied with the chargesheet’s completeness and adequacy before progressing further. Still, the judge noted that some of their document didn’t exist as reported by the court’s record keeper (Ahlmad), and the chargesheet mentions certain documents missing. Those documents are directed to be filed by ED. The judge then said that after that, the court will decide on the issue of notice.
While the ED maintained its transparency, it noted that the agency was not withholding any information and its only purpose was to give the accused a chance to be heard before the court, the court took cognisance.
Other names like Sam Pitroda and Suman Dubey, the founders and directors of Young Indian Pvt Ltd, along with Sonia and Rahul Gandhi, have also been dragged into the case.
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