Panchkula Plot: National Herald Case Land Controversy

Why in the News ?

The Enforcement Directorate filed a chargesheet against Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in the National Herald case. The case involves alleged money laundering linked to re-allotment of a Panchkula plot to Associated Journals Limited by Congress-led Haryana government.

Panchkula Plot: National Herald Case Land Controversy

National Herald Case:

  • Enforcement Directorate (ED) filed chargesheet against Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi on April 9, 2024.
  • Connected to National Herald money laundering case involving Associated Journals Limited (AJL).
  • 99% shares of AJL were transferred to Young Indian Pvt. Ltd. for ₹50 lakh, despite assets worth over ₹2,000 crore.
  • Young Indian is a Section 25 non-profit company, where Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi hold 38% shares each.

The Panchkula Plot Transfer:

  • 3,360 sq. metre plot in Sector 6, Panchkula, originally allotted to AJL in 1982.
  • Re-allotted in 2005 by then Haryana CM Bhupinder Singh Hooda at original rates (₹69 lakh) instead of market value (~₹64 crore).
  • Haryana Legal Department opposed the re-allotment, but Hooda overruled and justified it as public interest for Nehru’s legacy.
  • An Occupation Certificate for a four-storey building was issued before 2014 Haryana Assembly elections.

Investigation and Current Status:

  • Haryana Vigilance Bureau, CBI, and ED initiated probes from 2016
  • Booked Hooda and others for criminal conspiracy, cheating, corruption, and misuse of office.
  • Hooda is out on bail, and the Punjab and Haryana High Court has stayed some proceedings.
  • CBI framed charges under IPC and Prevention of Corruption Act in 2021; the ED’s probe is ongoing.