Sonia Gandhi Says National Herald Case Political, No Transfer Of Money Or Property Of AJL

NEW DELHI: Congress leader Sonia Gandhi on Friday raised the issue of the jurisdiction of court to take cognizance of prosecution complaint based on a private complaint filed BJP leader Subramanian Swamy in the National Herald case and said there was no transfer of money or property of Associated Journal Limited (AJL) by Young Indian.

Senior Advocate Abhishek Manu Singhvi, who represented the Congress leader, said Young Indian took over the debt of AJL. He said AJL's assets are still with it and there is no transfer. He said it is an alleged money laundering case "where neither money nor property has been transferred" and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) is requesting the court to take cognizance against respondents. He asked if AJL debt had been taken over by industrial houses such as Tatas or Birlas, would they be accused of money laundering?

Singhvi said there is no complaint filed by an authorised person to investigate the case, and Subramaniam Swamy is not an authorised person in the matter. Special Judge Vishal Gogne listed the matter for hearing the arguments of Congress leader Rahul Gandhi after hearing the submissions of Singhvi on behalf of Sonia Gandhi. Singhvi said there was a dire need for funds for AJL, and Congress revived it by giving a loan.