ED arguments over in Herald case, it's Gandhis' turn now

NEW DELHI: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) claimed earlier a Delhi tribunal connected Thursday that the National Herald case is simply a "classic lawsuit of wealth laundering".Young Indian Pvt Ltd, successful which ex-Congress presidents Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi held a 76% stake, was allegedly created to launder Rs 2,000 crore from Associated Journals Ltd, the institution that published 'National Herald' newspaper."This is simply a classical lawsuit wherever the offence of wealth laundering is made against each the accused," submitted further solicitor wide SV Raju, appearing for the ED earlier the tribunal of peculiar justice Vishal Gogne. He asked the tribunal to instrumentality cognisance of the chargesheet.The tribunal was proceeding arguments connected the constituent of cognisance of the chargesheet filed against Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi successful the wealth laundering case.The bureau concluded its arguments successful the lawsuit connected Thursday. Senior advocator Abhishek Manu Singhvi volition marque submissions earlier the tribunal connected Friday, appearing for Sonia Gandhi.The ED, done the ASG, submitted that Sonia and Rahul Gandhi were beneficial owners and successful eventual power of Young Indian, and that aft the deaths of different shareholders they had 100% control."These 2 persons controlled the All India Congress Committee.

They saw that AICC released a Rs 90 crore indebtedness to Associated Journals Limited, oregon AJL, a Rs 2,000 crore company, the steadfast of National Herald newspaper. The intent was to person Rs 2,000 crore," Raju told the court.Raju claimed Sonia and Rahul Gandhi were liable for the behaviour of concern of Young Indian and the fraudulent takeover of properties valued astatine implicit Rs 2,000 crore of AJL was with their connivance and consent.The ASG alleged that the shareholding successful the task was conscionable successful sanction and that each the different accused were puppets of the Gandhi family. He added that Sonia and Rahul Gandhi power Congress and wanted to get clasp of Rs 2,000 crore alternatively of the said Rs 92 crore.As per the ED, Congress provided an interest-free indebtedness of Rs 90 crore to AJL, which had assets worthy Rs 2,000 crore, for a information of conscionable Rs 50 lakh. This indebtedness was allegedly converted into equity successful YI's favour."They deprived AJL's shareholders of their right. YI invested conscionable Rs 50 lakh and got Rs 2,000 crore. YI gained wrongfully and shareholders suffered," helium said.The tribunal asked Raju if the shareholders are besides witnesses successful this case. Calling the substance a small peculiar, the justice asked whether they should not besides beryllium made witnesses. "The ED has not investigated the 1,000 shareholders. So volition this proceedings spell connected without them being witnesses," the tribunal asked.The ASG replied, "The grounds speaks for itself. This is simply a classical lawsuit of wealth laundering. The existent culprits are these 7 persons (including Sonia and Rahul), erstwhile you pierce the veil. Today, Sonia and Rahul Gandhi clasp astir each shares. They're the beneficial owners of the company."