Sonia, Rahul Gandhi Tried to Usurp ₹2,000 Crore AJL Assets via Young Indian: ED

GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 2nd July: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday told a Delhi court that Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi conspired to usurp assets worth ₹2,000 crore belonging to Associated Journals Limited (AJL), the publisher of the National Herald newspaper. The central agency alleged that the duo orchestrated the creation of the Young Indian company to siphon off these assets under the guise of settling a ₹90 crore loan from the Congress party.

Appearing for the ED, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) S.V. Raju submitted to the special court that although AJL was financially struggling, it owned substantial real estate assets across the country. “AJL was not making a profit, but it had assets worth ₹2,000 crore. A ₹90 crore loan was given by Congress with the intent to usurp the company,” said Raju.

“The conspiracy involved forming Young Indian, in which Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi held a 76% stake. Through this entity, they sought to take control of AJL’s assets,” the ASG added.

The submissions came as the court began daily hearings in the National Herald money laundering case, in which both Sonia and Rahul Gandhi have been named as accused. The ED has alleged that Young Indian’s acquisition of AJL was aimed at gaining control over valuable real estate under the pretext of financial restructuring.

The ED’s case stems from a complaint filed by BJP MP Subramanian Swamy in 2012, which alleged criminal misappropriation by the Congress leadership in the acquisition of AJL through Young Indian.

The next hearing is scheduled for later this week, as the special court examines financial documents, shareholding patterns, and alleged misuse of party funds.