The Congress has hit out at the Centre for the Enforcement Directorate (ED) action against the Congress-promoted National Herald newspaper, stating the "petty vendetta tactics" cannot frighten it.
Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge said the Centre's pattern of misuse of agencies was not new and the Centre now stands fully exposed before the country.
In his social media post, Congress president Kharge added, "Staring at defeat in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Telangana and Mizoram, the BJP Government feels compelled to misuse its agencies. This attempt too will fail and the BJP will be defeated in the polls."
Kharge recalled Jawaharlal Nehru's quote on the masthead of the newspaper - Freedom is in peril, Defend it with all your might - and said the party will continue to fight for the ideals on which India's democratic republic is founded.
The ED attached properties worth Rs 751.90 crore as part of its investigation in a money laundering case against the Congress-promoted National Herald newspaper and the companies linked to it.
Congress also questioned the legality of the move, stating that actions under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) can be taken only in the presence of definite indications of an offence or after the commission of a principal offence. "But in this case, there has been no transfer of any immovable property. There is no transaction of money. No income was generated from the alleged crime. There aren't even any complainants who claim to have been defrauded: not a single one!," the Congress said in a post on X.
Meanwhile, former Congress leader Kapil Sibal too said seizing properties was against the law. "The ED should know what the law says. Properties are owned by companies. Shareholders do not own properties. To say that they (Young Indians) became owners of the assets of Rs 752 crore of AJL is wrong based on law. Tell us which law says that shareholders become owners of assets," Sibal told ANI.
Congress ally Shiv Sena (UBT) has extended support to the party, stating that ED actions were due to the impending elections. Sanjay Raut MP told ANI that the National Herald contributed to the freedom struggle of India.
"There are many cases in the BJP too but their properties will not be seized. Those who will come into your washing machine their property will be left. The National Herald case is political. You want to suppress our voices, but this is not easy. This fight is going on for the democracy of the country and will continue. This used to occur in the British era too," Raut added.
