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Jail term certain for Sonia, Rahul in National Herald case: Subramanian Swamy
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SANTOSH KUMAR PATHAK (Source: IANS) | 08 Aug, 2022
Slamming interim Congress President Sonia Gandhi and her son Rahul
Gandhi over the National Herald case, former Union minister and senior
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Subramanian Swamy accused the Gandhi
family of being involved in money laundering.
Speaking
exclusively with IANS, Swamy said that a jail term is certain for both
Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi on charges of money laundering in
connection with the National Herald case.
Delving on a wide
range of issues, Swamy talked about Ram Setu, and expressed concerns
over the country's current economic condition, among others.
Here are excerpts from the interview:
Q:
The National Herald case has created quite a stir in the nation's
political circles. You were the one to raise the issue first. What's the
matter all about and how did it violate the law?
A: I raised
the issue for the first time in 2012 at a press conference, and later
went to the court in this connection in 2013. The Gandhi family had
appealed against the case filed by me even in the Supreme Court, only to
taste disappointment. The Patiala House Courts had observed that
according to the case filed by me, irregularities indeed happened and a
trial should be conducted.
Since the matter pertained to
financial offence, they were released on bail... and from there,
everything began. Hearings were being held and many papers and documents
also came out.
I had sought some other documents as well as per
the procedures, which was opposed by the Congress. However, I finally
got hands on them after approaching the higher courts. Later, it came to
my notice that there were some income tax-related frauds as well. A
probe into the matter eventually found them guilty. Since the matter was
challenged, it is now in the Supreme Court.
Q: On what basis did you say that irregularities took place?
A:
Sonia and Rahul Gandhi had founded a firm named 'Young Indian Limited'
for which the paid-up capital was only Rs 5 lakh. That firm had offered
the Congress a loan of Rs 50 lakh so that on the basis of that loan
amount, the responsibilities for Associated Journal Limited could be
transferred to Young Indian Limited. That's how, by offering just Rs 50
lakh, they acquired the company that published the National Herald
newspaper. However, the value of the company at that time, including the
building and other assets, was around Rs 5,000 crore.
Q: But
even as you're claiming that they went on to take over a firm worth Rs
5,000 crore for a consideration of just Rs 50 lakh, the Congress,
including Rahul Gandhi, has been coming up with allegations against the
BJP-led government...
A: Their allegations are totally
incorrect. I had written to the government in 2014 after the BJP came to
power that the case should be probed by the Enforcement Directorate.
I
had written to the government back then that Rs 1 crore was taken from a
fake Kolkata-based firm -- Dotex, whi was involved in hawala
transactions and money laundering, and from that amount, Rs 50 lakh was
utilised to take over Associated Journal Limited. I had also written to
the ED that Dotex was already under scanner for its suspicious
activities.
Later, I came to know that the Congress had issued
cheques to Dotex from Switzerland-based banks, and Dotex had converted
those currencies into INR and 'paid' the Congress... this is a clear
instance of money laundering and it comes under the Prevention of Money
Laundering Act.
Q: So you mean to say that the Congress and its higher ups are linked to hawala traders?
A: Of course... they received money from foreign banks about which I had apprised the government as well.
Q: What do you think would be the outcome of the National Herald case?
A:
On the basis of all the facts available in this case, Sonia Gandhi,
Rahul Gandhi and others would certainly be jailed. If the BJP government
stays in power, they will surely be imprisoned. But in case the
Congress comes into power, nothing can be said... but even then, I would
continue taking the matter to the courts.
Q: Your plea on
Supreme Court's call to declare Ram Setu a national heritage would be
taken up for hearing soon. Why you had to knock the court's door on the
matter and what do you expect from the court now?
A: I had filed
two petitions in the Madras High Court in 2007. Later I went to the
Supreme Court. On the basis of my plea, the Supreme Court refused to
give nod to the plans for breaking/splitting the Ram Setu for the
Sethusamudram Project. I have been involved in the process to get Ram
Setu declared a national heritage site since a long time.
My
efforts got a major boost after the BJP came to power. Eventually, I
approached the Supreme Court with an appeal to declare Ram Setu a
national heritage, and that the government be given the responsibility
to preserve, maintain and conserve it.
The court has already
issued notice to the government on the issue, and I expect a positive
outcome following the hearing scheduled to take place next week.
Q: You have also been vocal on social media about the current economic condition of the nation...
A:
As far as the question of economy and the country's economic condition
is concerned, I need to say that the government's economic policies are
totally wrong. The Finance Minister is unable to manage things... and
the officials are simply trying to defend themselves.
However,
the truth is that the economy is currently under a massive crisis, and
it could implode any moment. I have been constantly writing to the Prime
Minister regarding this serious issue.
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