Overview

• The Enforcement Directorate completed its oral submissions on Thursday arguing that Sonia and Rahul Gandhi conspired to usurp ₹2,000 crore of Associated Journals Limited assets under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
• Special Judge Vishal Gogne directed the proposed accused, including the Gandhis, Sam Pitroda and Suman Dubey, to file their rebuttal submissions by July 5 on whether cognizance should be taken of the ED’s chargesheet.
• The ED alleged that Young Indian Pvt Ltd, in which Sonia and Rahul Gandhi hold a 76% stake, acquired AJL’s prime real estate for a nominal ₹50 lakh in exchange for a ₹90 crore loan converted into equity.
• Additional Solicitor General S.V. Raju told the court that fabricated rent receipts, bogus share transfers and sham donations were used to funnel proceeds of crime into AJL over several years.
• The hearing underscores a pivotal legal test of the PMLA’s reach in political asset disputes as the court assesses whether the evidence merits formal charges against the accused.