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New Delhi: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Delhi Police has issued a notice to Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, asking him to provide financial and transactional details regarding the National Herald case.
The EOW stated that Shivakumar may possess crucial documents related to the National Herald case. Investigators have sought details of his personal background, his association with the Congress, and the funds allegedly transferred to Young Indian.
The EOW notice, which was issued on November 29, says that Shivakumar is "supposed to be having vital information" pertaining to the National Herald case registered on October 3 this year, against Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. The notice directed him to appear before the EOW by December 19 or provide all the requested information.
According to a report by news agency PTI, sources close to Shivakumar have claimed that BJP is targeting him for 'not playing ball' with the saffron party. They reportedly said that he is among the key leaders "taking the hit" for Congress and Shivakumar is the "most persecuted" among Congress leaders, but the BJP will not succeed in "breaking him".
The EOW notice reads, "This is to inform you that the EOW, Delhi Police is investigating the above cited case FIR and that you are supposed to be having vital information in respect of the above case (National Herald." It seeks to know about Shivakumar's bank transfers and the source of funds, details of his communication, if any, between him and Young Indian or Congress committee functionaries, and he paid on the instructions of anyone, among other details.
The National Herald case was filed by politician Subramanian Swamy against Congress leaders Sonia and Rahul Gandhi, and their alleged companies. Swamy alleged that a certain Associated Journals Limited (AJL) took an interest-free loan of Rs 90.25 crore from Congress and it was never never repaid. In November 2010, an allegedly closely-related company Young Indian was incorporated with a paid up capital of Rs 5 lakhs.
The EOW, based on the Enforcement Directorate's complaint, has filed an FIR. In it, the department has alleged criminal conspiracy, cheating and criminal breach of trust in connection with the transfer of AJL assets to Young Indian, a company in which it claims that Sonia and Rahul Gandhi holds 76 per cent stakes. It has been alleged that Young India acquired almost all of AJL's shareholding and all of its properties worth Rs 5,000 crore.
