Delhi High Court: Refuses to Stop AJL From Seeking Release of ED-Attached Properties

The Delhi High Court on Monday refused to restrain the Gandhi family-controlled Associated Journals Limited (AJL) from seeking release of their properties attached by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) in the National Herald Money laundering case. Notably, the trial court refused to take cognisance of the money laundering case against the Gandhis, Young Indian, AJL and all the other accused. The ED had attached several properties belonging to Young Indian and AJL, including the Herald House at Delhi’s Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg near ITO. The Court was today told that they are now relying on the trial court order to secure release of the properties before the appellate tribunal constituted under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). Additional Solicitor General (ASG) SV Raju appeared for the ED and informed the Bench. “They are making use of this order to get the properties released,” Raju said. However, Justice Sachin Datta replied that it was not passing any interim order at this stage. The ASG then requested that the parties may seek an adjournment before the tribunal on the next date of hearing. “I am not saying anything,” the Court replied, adding that as of now they are not accused. Raju made the submission while the Court was hearing the ED's challenge to the trial court order. Raju began his argument in the case and the High Court has now listed the matter for further hearing on November 2. Justice Sachin DattaThe Natio