Herald case: AICC attempted to revive AJL, submits Rahul

CALLING THE PROBE “TAINTED AND MALICIOUS’, SENIOR ADVOCATE CHEEMA QUESTIONED THE VERY BASIS OF THE ED’S CASE

- Arnabjit Sur

Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Saturday told a Delhi court that the All India Congress Committee (AICC) sought to revive Associate Journals Limited (AJL), which ran the National Herald newspaper, with the objective of promoting democratic ideals and shaping public discourse in line with the party's vision.

Senior advocate RS Cheema, appearing for Gandhi, made the submission before special judge Vishal Gogne during a hearing on whether the court should take cognisance of the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) charge sheet in the money laundering case involving the National Herald. The agency has named Rahul and Sonia Gandhi, along with other senior Congress leaders, as accused.

Cheema submitted that Young Indian (YI) — a not-for-profit company in which the Gandhis hold 76% stake — was created to further democratic values and was instrumental in reviving AJL, which once played a vital role in India’s freedom movement.