Court Declines to Admit ED Case in National Herald Matter
A Delhi trial court has refused to take cognisance of the Enforcement Directorate’s prosecution complaint in the National Herald money laundering case, triggering sharp political reactions across party lines. The complaint involved senior Congress leaders, including Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, but the court held that the filing did not meet the legal requirements necessary to proceed at this stage.
Court’s Observations
The court noted procedural shortcomings in the Enforcement Directorate’s complaint, particularly with regard to how the investigation was initiated. It observed that the prosecution could not move forward in its present form, leading to the rejection of the charges at this stage. The order does not amount to an acquittal but prevents the case from being taken up for trial under the current filing.
Political Reactions
Congress leaders welcomed the court’s decision, describing it as a strong message against what they termed the misuse of investigative agencies. Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar said the verdict reaffirmed faith in the judiciary and accused the ruling party of pursuing politically motivated cases against opposition leaders. Congress leaders reiterated that the National Herald case lacked substance and was aimed at harassment rather than justice.
The Bharatiya Janata Party, however, said the ruling was being misrepresented. BJP leaders stressed that the court’s order was procedural in nature and did not close the case on merits. They maintained that investigative agencies remain free to take appropriate legal steps in accordance with the law.
Background of the Case
The National Herald case relates to alleged financial irregularities linked to the ownership and management of the newspaper and associated entities. The matter has been under legal scrutiny for several years and has seen multiple rounds of hearings.
