National Herald case: ED presents opening argument in Delhi court; Congress calls it political vendetta; BJP says "Loota hai toh lautana hai"

New Delhi [India], May 21 (ANI): The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday presented its openings arguments before Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court on the cognisance of its complaint against Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and other accused in connection with a money laundering case linked to National Herald.
This development sparked political reactions from both Congress party and ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
While Congress termed it an attempt to silence Congress MP and Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi over his "tough" questions on Operation Sindoor, BJP asserted "Loota hai toh lautana hai" (You have to return what you have robbed).
Congress leader Pawan Khera alleged that the Enforcement Directorate's investigation into the National Herald money laundering case is an attempt to silence Congress MP and Lok Sabha LoP Rahul Gandhi.

Khera claimed that the ED's actions were a response to Rahul Gandhi's tough questions to External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi regarding Operation Sindoor.
He accused the government of using Central agencies like the ED, CBI, and Income Tax to intimidate Rahul Gandhi.
Speaking to ANI, Khera said, "Within days of Lok Sabha LoP and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi asking difficult questions to EAM S. Jaishankar and PM Modi, here is the ED trying to respond to Rahul Gandhi. Every time Rahul Gandhi asks tough questions, the government has its frontal organisations called the ED, CBI, Income Tax, they use these agencies to silence Rahul Gandhi but they won't succeed. Rahul Gandhi cannot be silenced; he will continue asking these questions."
BJP' spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla accused Congress leader Sonia Gandhi and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi of benefiting from Rs 5,000 crore worth of public property in the National Herald case, asserting, "Loota hai toh lautana hai."
Speaking to ANI, Poonawalla said,"Loota hai toh lautana hai. Today, there is all evidence of how beneficial interest from Rs 5,000 crore worth of public property was directed to Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi."
BJP spokesperson Pradeep Bhandari stated that ED chargesheet "exposes" sustained money laundering -- not just acquisition, but continued possession of tainted assets.
In a social media post on X, Bhandari wrote, "Prima facie corruption of Sonia Gandhi & Rahul Gandhi! The Enforcement Directorate has dropped a legal bombshell in the National Herald scam -- and the details are damning Sonia & Rahul Gandhi directly enjoyed Rs 142 crore in proceeds of crime. Properties linked to National Herald were illegally held till November 2023. ED chargesheet exposes sustained money laundering -- not just acquisition, but continued possession of tainted assets. "Relatable criminal activity" used to retain illicit gains, highlights ASG SV Raju. - Court informed of a prima facie case of money laundering against top Congress leaders. Slowly the law catching up with corruption of Gandhi Vadra family!"

Earlier on Wednesday, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) presented its opening arguments before the Delhi Rouse Avenue Court on the cognisance of its complaint against Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and other accused in connection with a money laundering case linked to the National Herald.
In the opening submissions Additional Solicitor General (ASG) S V Raju submitted that an offence of money laundering in this case is made out in this case. He also submitted that there was a proceeds of crime. It was also submitted that there was continuing criminal activity for generation of proceeds of crime which constitutes the offence of money laundering.
After hearing the opening submitted by ASG S V Raju and Special Counsel for ED Zoheb Hosain, the Special Judge listed the matter for remaining arguments from July 2 to July 8. Special judge Vishal Gogne listed the matter for day-to-day hearing on the point of cognisance of ED's Prosecution complaint against Gandhi and other accused persons.
The court listed the matter in July after hearing the submissions of defence counsel who urged for a hearing in July in view of voluminous documents running to 5,000 pages.
ED is ready with the submissions and finishing them on Wednesday, the judge said. ASG Raju said that it is a complaint under PMLA. The complaint is filed under sections 44 and 45 of PMLA , submitted by ASG Raju. He submitted that the Complaint has been filed against seven persons. The accused are Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Sam Pitroda, Young Indian and two firms.
The ED has recently filed a prosecution complaint against Gandhi and others. (ANI)