AICC attempted to revive AJL, submits Rahul
New Delhi, July 6 -- Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Saturday told a Delhi court that the All India Congress Committee (AICC) sought to revive Associate Journals Limited (AJL), which ran the National Herald newspaper, with the objective of promoting democratic ideals and shaping public discourse in line with the party's vision.
Senior advocate RS Cheema, appearing for Gandhi, made the submission before special judge Vishal Gogne during a hearing on whether the court should take cognisance of the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) charge sheet in the money laundering case involving the National Herald. The agency has named Rahul and Sonia Gandhi, along with other senior Congress leaders, as accused.
Cheema submitted that Young Indian (YI) - a not-for-profit company in which the Gandhis hold 76% stake - was created to further democratic values and was instrumental in reviving AJL, which once played a vital role in India's freedom movement.
"Young Indian was formed to propagate the ideals of a democratic society. You are trying to influence thinking and build ideals. YI was trying to revive AJL for this purpose. All this is linked to the publication of a newspaper," he said.
The submission came a day after senior advocate Abhishek Singhvi, appearing for Sonia Gandhi, had urged the court not to take cognisance of the charge sheet, arguing at length on issues of law and procedure. Cheema on Saturday argued that the revival effort was backed by the AICC and that it was a legitimate attempt to resuscitate a historically significant institution....
To read the full article or to get the complete feed from this publication, please
Contact Us.