In the background of the Scamgress poster that popped up in Hyderabad, it is relevant to unveil some of the scams which are alleged against the Congress party. One of the major scams is the National Herald scam.
The National Herald scam has been a topic of heated debate and controversy in Indian politics for several years. It revolves around allegations of financial irregularities and misuse of assets associated with the National Herald newspaper, once associated with India’s iconic freedom struggle and later with the Indian National Congress party.
The National Herald, founded by Jawaharlal Nehru in 1938, was a significant newspaper during the freedom movement and post-independence years. It played a pivotal role in shaping public opinion and advocating for the values of democracy. Over the years, the newspaper’s influence waned, and it ceased publication in 2008 due to financial difficulties and relaunched in 2017.
The controversy surrounding the National Herald scam revolves around allegations that the Indian National Congress (INC) misappropriated funds and assets related to the newspaper. It is claimed that the party used illegal means to acquire Associated Journals Limited (AJL), the parent company of the National Herald, which owned valuable real estate assets.
The primary allegations are as follows:
Unfair Loan Transactions: It is alleged that the INC provided an interest-free loan of approximately Rs. 90 crore to AJL. The loan was reportedly not repaid and subsequently converted into equity, effectively transferring ownership of AJL to the INC.
Asset Misuse: Critics claim that the Congress party misused the real estate assets of AJL for purposes other than journalism, such as renting them out for commercial activities.
Violation of Tax Laws: It has been alleged that the transactions involving AJL and the INC have violated income tax and other financial regulations.
Legal Proceedings
The National Herald case led to legal action against several prominent Congress leaders, including Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. They were accused of misappropriation of funds and conspiring to take control of AJL. The case was filed by Subramanian Swamy, a politician associated with the BJP.
The legal proceedings have seen a series of twists and turns. The accused Congress leaders denied any wrongdoing, claiming that the allegations were politically motivated. The case underwent investigations and court hearings, ultimately leading to a trial.
In December 2015, the trial court summoned Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and others as accused in the case. The accused leaders approached the Delhi High Court, seeking to quash the trial court’s order. The High Court dismissed their plea but allowed them to challenge the trial court’s order in the Supreme Court.
In 2018, the Supreme Court ordered the Gandhis and other accused individuals to face trial.
Balancing Perspectives
It is essential to emphasise that the National Herald scam has been a contentious issue in Indian politics, with both the INC and the BJP using it as a political tool to target each other. Critics of the BJP argue that the allegations and legal proceedings are politically motivated and aimed at tarnishing the image of the Congress party.
In 2019 however, the Enforcement Directorate permanently attached properties worth Rs.64 crore in the National Herald case. Thereby leading to further accusations against Congress.
The National Herald scam still remains a subject of intense political debate in India. The allegations of financial irregularities and misappropriation of assets are serious and warrant a further legal inquiry.
The legal proceedings surrounding the case have not reached a final verdict, but it is crucial to determine the truth behind the allegations.