Decoded: What is National Herald case involving Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi as prime accused?

New Delhi: In connection with the National Herald money laundering case, Rahul Gandhi has again been called on by the Enforcement Directorate for the second consecutive day on Tuesday for questioning. Her Mother Sonia Gandhi will also have to appear before the ED headquarters on Thursday.

However, both the leaders have continuously denied the allegation of fraud when appeared before the ED.

What is the Nationa Herald case?

National Herald was a newspaper that was run by the late Prime Minister of India Jawaharlal Nehru and other freedom fighters before the Independence in 1938. The publisher of the newspaper was Associated Journals Limited (AJL).

However, the newspaper was closed in 2008 due to financial loss. In the mentioned year, Congress gave a loan of Rs 90 Crore but it failed to revive it.

After two years of the loss, Yong Indian Pvt Ltd (YIL) purchased AJL in 2010. In the company, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi became the board of directors.

The allegations of fraud and breach against the Congress leaders were levelled by the BJP leader Subramanian Swamy in 2012 in the acquisition of AJL by YIL. It is reported that any financial transaction with a third party under the Income Tax Act is invalid.

Swamy said that Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi-owned YIL paid only Rs50 lakh and acquired the right to recover Rs 90 core AJL owed to the party.

The central agency has been probing the case, involving Congress leaders, since 2016.

Congress’ stand on the National Herald case

Congress has continuously maintained its stance that YIL was formed as a charity organisation instead of making a profit.

INC member Abhishek Manu Singhvi said, ”There has been no transfer of property or cash, how can there be a money laundering case?”