ED questions Mallikarjun Kharge in National Herald case

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Monday questioned senior Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge in connection with its money laundering investigation in the National Herald corruption case. Kharge is the leader of the opposition in the Rajya Sabha.

In its prosecution complaint in the matter, or charge-sheet, the ED has named some top Congress leaders, former Haryana chief minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda, and late senior Congressman Moti Lal Vora for their alleged involvement in the alleged irregularities in land allotment to Associated Journals Limited (AJL). Hooda and Vora were charged in August 2019.

A special court of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had framed charges against Hooda last year.


The ED, in December 2011, had attached the disputed plot-- No. 17, Sector 6, Panchkula--under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act .

In its charge-sheet, the ED had said that Hooda and Vora were directly involved in the process/activity connected with acquisition, possession or projection of "proceeds of crime", i.e., Plot No. C-17, Sector 6, Panchkula, to the tune of Rs 64.9 crore.

It said that Hooda blatantly misused his official position and dishonestly allotted the said plot afresh in the guise of re-allotment to AJL at original rates plus interest in violation of necessary conditions/ policy of HUDA, vide order dated August 28, 2005.

The charge-sheet alleged that Hooda also did not adhere to the legal opinion of Legal Remembrance, Haryana, and recommendations of HUDA Officers and Financial Commissioner Town and Country Planning (FCTCP). This caused wrongful loss to HUDA and wrongful gain to AJL, the ED had said.