Karnataka State Minister Priyank Kharge launched a scathing critique of the Modi government following the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) chargesheet against Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in the National Herald case. Kharge accused the central government of misusing investigative agencies like the ED and Income Tax (IT) department, especially during periods of economic downturn and rising unemployment.
“Every time Prime Minister Modi’s popularity wanes, or the economy faces a crisis with massive job losses, the government weaponizes agencies like the ED and IT department,” Kharge alleged. “They have been in power for ten years, yet they haven’t managed to secure convictions in most of these high-profile cases. What’s the actual success rate of ED and IT probes?” he questioned.
He further challenged the government’s credibility on transparency and accountability. “If the Centre is truly serious about tracking black money and cracking down on money laundering, they should begin by auditing their own institutions. Let the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) accounts be audited. Will they allow that?” he asked. “Real money laundering is happening through election bonds and RSS offices. If the government has even an iota of integrity, they should file cases against their own party members and RSS affiliates first,” Kharge asserted.
The charges filed by the ED allege a “criminal conspiracy” by top Congress leaders to acquire properties worth ₹2,000 crore owned by Associated Journals Limited (AJL). These assets were allegedly transferred to Young Indian Limited (YIL) for just ₹50 lakh. Sonia and Rahul Gandhi are both majority shareholders in YIL, each holding a 38% stake.
According to the chargesheet, Sonia Gandhi has been named Accused No. 1, and Rahul Gandhi as Accused No. 2. The ED claims that the AJL loan of ₹90.21 crore was converted into equity shares valued at just ₹9.02 crore, thereby granting YIL—and in turn, the Gandhis—“beneficial ownership” of AJL’s assets. Other Congress leaders and affiliated companies are also named in what the ED describes as a complex network of financial manipulations aimed at generating illicit funds.
Although YIL is registered as a not-for-profit company, the ED investigation found no records of actual charitable work. Financial documents reportedly show no expenses dedicated to philanthropic initiatives, raising significant questions about the organisation’s true nature and transparency.
This latest development adds fuel to a long-standing political and legal battle, originally sparked by a 2012 complaint from BJP leader Subramanian Swamy. The controversy centers around the now-defunct National Herald newspaper—founded in 1938 by India’s first Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru. Once a vital voice in India’s independence movement, the paper ceased operations in 2008 due to financial strain caused by dwindling ad revenues and overstaffing.
