**BJP Demands Action Against National Herald Properties in Mumbai**
BJP supporters in Mumbai have raised a significant demand for bulldozer action against properties associated with the National Herald case. This comes amid ongoing Enforcement Directorate (ED) investigations involving Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and her son Rahul Gandhi. The call for action was made through a poster erected by BJP leader Vishwabandhu Rai outside the Associated Journals Limited (AJL) building in Bandra, urging Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to take decisive steps against the implicated properties.
The poster prominently featured images of Chief Minister Fadnavis alongside Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, with the slogan “Deva Bhau, Bulldozer Chalao” calling for immediate action.
In response, hundreds of Congress leaders and supporters have organized protests outside ED offices across various states, denouncing the agency’s actions against Sonia and Rahul Gandhi as politically motivated. A significant demonstration took place at the Congress party’s headquarters on 24 Akbar Road in Delhi, where senior leaders, including Sachin Pilot and Imran Pratapgarhi, joined the ranks of party workers.
The ED’s chargesheet identifies Sonia Gandhi as accused number one and Rahul Gandhi as accused number two, with other Congress figures, such as Sam Pitroda and Suman Dubey, also named. The agency alleges that the Gandhis orchestrated a “criminal conspiracy” to seize properties valued at Rs 2,000 crore belonging to AJL, the publisher of the National Herald. The investigation claims that the Gandhis utilized their private firm, Young Indian, to acquire 99 percent of AJL’s shares for a mere Rs 50 lakh, despite the current market value of these assets being around Rs 5,000 crore. The ED has identified “proceeds of crime” amounting to Rs 988 crore.
Founded by India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru, AJL has become the focal point of this high-profile investigation. The central agency is seeking to prosecute Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and others under Section 4 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), which carries a maximum penalty of seven years in prison.
This case originated from a 2013 petition by former minister Subramanian Swamy, which prompted a trial court to authorize the Income Tax department to investigate the financial dealings of the National Herald and assess the tax liabilities of the Gandhi family.
As the situation unfolds, the political landscape remains charged, with both parties mobilizing their supporters and resources in a battle that could have significant implications for Indian politics.
**FAQ**
**What is the National Herald case?**
The National Herald case involves allegations against Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi of financial misconduct related to the acquisition of properties owned by the Associated Journals Limited, the publisher of the National Herald newspaper. The Enforcement Directorate is investigating claims of a criminal conspiracy to misappropriate assets valued at thousands of crores.
