"Deliberate, not even a rupee was transacted": Ashok Gehlot on ED's action against Congress leaders in National Herald case

Speaking to the media, Gehlot said, "An ED case has been filed against Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi deliberately, which has no meaning. False cases have been made; not even a rupee was transacted."

"The BJP was not comfortable with Rahul Gandhi asking questions on Operation Sindoor, but he asked the same question, which is in the minds of the public. It is the opposition's responsibility to raise the public's questions; this is democracy," he said.

Ashok Gehlot claimed that the BJP is worried that if the newspaper restarts, it will voice opinions aligned with the Congress and its values.

"90 years ago, we started the National Herald newspaper. The Congress sought to revive it, but the BJP is worried because once the newspaper restarts, it will voice opinions aligned with the Congress and its values. They cannot accept the concept of secularism. To prevent the government from republishing the paper, they are resorting to various tactics, including filing numerous false cases," the former Rajasthan CM said.

Ashok Gehlot questioned the very basis of the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) probe into the National Herald case, stating, "When the transaction of one rupee has not been made, then where did this ED case come from? The new company has been created so that the newspaper can be started."

Earlier on Wednesday, the ED presented its opening arguments before Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court regarding the cognisance of its complaint against Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and others 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 is made out in this case. He also submitted that there were proceeds of crime. It was also submitted that there was continuing criminal activity for the 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 a hearing in July and gave voluminous documents totalling 5,000 pages. (ANI)