Bring missing files, court tells ED, halts notices to Gandhis

NEW DELHI: A Delhi court refused on Friday to issue notice to former Congress presidents Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi and others in the National Herald money-laundering case for now.
The court of special judge (PC Act) Vishal Gogne of Rouse Avenue Courts was hearing an ED plea that claimed that cognisance of the chargesheet could not be taken without hearing the accused according to new provisions in the law.
"Giving a chance to them (accused) to come (before the court) and give their point before cognisance is taken (sic)," SV Raju, additional solicitor-general appearing for ED, submitted before the court. The judge, however, said he could not pass such an order before the court is satisfied that a notice is required. Before the court passes any order, it has to see if there is any deficiency, the judge said. After that, the court will decide on issue of notice, the court said.
"Let the documents in question or the serialisation be provided/rectified prior to the next date of hearing (May 2)," the judge said in the order, released later in the evening.
The court pointed out that certain documents were missing in the chargesheet, as highlighted by the ahlmad, and directed ED to file those documents. After checking the file, it came to light that certain documents had not been filed or serialised appropriately, the judge said. The ASG told the court that ED investigating officers would rectify any such deficiency.
The ASG also said the agency was "very transparent" and not hiding anything. "We are confident we have anexcellent case, and we have enough material to prove our case," submitted ASG Raju. On April 9, ED filed before the court a chargesheet thatmentions Sonia and Rahul as accused numbers 1 and 2under PMLA Sections 3 and 4 (which deal with moneylaundering and its punishment) and Sec 70 (offences by companies). The charges, if proved, attract a maximum imprisonment of seven years.