Congress’s nationwide protest, allegations against Rahul-Sonia inspired politics

The Congress Party has announced a nationwide protest against the central government after the Enforcement Directorate (ED) filed prosecution complaint against several Congress leaders including Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi in the National Herald Money Laundering case. The Congress has said that on 16 April, protests will be held in front of the state headquarters of ED and central government offices at the district level.

All India Congress Committee General Secretary KC Venugopal issued a statement calling all Congress workers and supporters to join the Modi government’s protest against the policy of alleged political vengeance.

Congress accused: State sponsored crime

In its statement, the Congress alleged that the Central Government had seized the properties of the National Herald arbitrarily and unfairly. Describing it as a “state -sponsored crime”, he said that it is a terrible abuse of power and an attempt to suppress the voice of a democratic opposition.

Venugopal said that the Congress party will raise its voice for democracy, justice and truth and will struggle at all levels against the Modi government’s “politics of revenge”.

Main things in ED charge sheet

The ED has alleged in its complaint that Congress leaders hatched a criminal conspiracy to acquire assets worth Associated Journal Limited (AJL) about Rs 2,000 crore. According to the agency, 99 percent of AJL shares were transferred to private company Young Indian for just Rs 50 lakh, with Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi major shareholders.

An prosecution complaint has been filed by the ED under the sections of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) by the ED in the Rouse Avenue Court of Delhi. Sonia Gandhi has been made accused number one and Rahul Gandhi has been made accused number two. Congress leaders Suman Dubey, Sam Pitroda, Young Indian, Dotex Merchandise Private Limited and its officer Sunil Bhandari have also been accused in this case.

The ED has made allegations under sections 44, 45 and 70 of the PMLA and demanded a jail sentence of up to seven years for the accused. The court fixed the next hearing of the case on 25 April.

This is the first time the ED has been filed by the ED after issuing summons of the court on the basis of a private complaint.