New Delhi: Days after questioning Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, the Enforcement Directorate is conducting searches at the official premises of the National Herald in an alleged money laundering case.
As per reports, ED raids are underway on the 4th floor in Herald House. This is where the publication office of the National Herald is located. ED officials entered around 10 am this morning and are still present inside the office.
According to official sources, ED is conducting raids at 12 locations linked to Associated Journals Limited (AJL) -- the company that runs the newspaper. The probe agency might also raid some of the locations in Kolkata.
Sources say the probe agency is likely to attach properties linked to the case after searches.
Gandhi was late last month asked over 100 questions in 12 hours spread over three days. Her son and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi was earlier questioned over five days and was asked around 150 questions.
The Gandhis are being investigated in what is called the "National Herald case" involving the Young Indian's takeover of AJL founded by India's first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru.
The Enforcement Directorate says the Young Indian also took over ₹ 800 crore in assets of AJL. According to the Income Tax department, this should be considered an asset of the shareholders of Young Indian -- Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi - for which they should pay tax.
Denying any wrongdoing, Congress asserts that the Young Indian is a "not-for-profit" company and so, there can be no question of money laundering.
Congress leaders and workers have carried out massive demonstrations in the national capital, and also across the country, against the questioning of the top leaders. They allege the case is politically motivated and the Centre is using probe agencies for political vendetta.