Allegations Against the Gandhis
On Wednesday, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) informed a Delhi court that Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, accused in the National Herald case, allegedly profited ₹142 crores from criminal activities. The additional solicitor general representing the federal agency, S.V. Raju, stated that the accused continued to benefit from the proceeds of crime until the ED seized assets worth ₹751.9 crores linked to National Herald in November 2023. The ED further asserted that the Gandhi family not only earned money through illicit means but also retained those funds.
What is National Herald?
The English newspaper was established in 1938 by Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and other freedom fighters. It was owned by Associated Journals Limited (AJL), which also published 'Navjeevan' in Hindi and 'Qaumi Awaaz' in Urdu.
Reasons Behind AJL's Debt
By 2008, AJL had accumulated a debt of ₹90 crores, leading to the cessation of its publication. Between 2002 and 2011, the Congress party provided AJL with ₹90 crores as a loan.
Acquisition Details
In 2010, a non-profit company named Young Indian Limited (YIL) was formed, with Sonia and Rahul holding a 76% stake. The remaining 24% was owned by Motilal Vora, Oscar Fernandes, Dubey, and Pitroda. Young Indian acquired AJL for ₹50 lakhs, gaining 99% ownership of the company.
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