Centre misusing probe agencies to target Gandhi family, says Rajasthan ex-CM Gehlot in Shimla

Shimla: Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot has accused the central government of misusing agencies like the ED, CBI and Income Tax Department to target the opposition, especially the Gandhi family.

Speaking at a press conference in Shimla, Gehlot alleged that these institutions, once a source of national pride, WERE now being openly used for political purposes.

He said the Enforcement Directorate (ED) had created an atmosphere of fear, with frequent raids on opposition leaders. “The misuse of ED, CBI and Income Tax has reached an unprecedented level. Never before in history has such a situation arisen,” he said.

‘Allegations without basis’ in National Herald case

Gehlot criticised the central government for reviving the National Herald case and filing of a chargesheet against Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi after 11 years. He said the allegations of misuse of Rs 5,000 crore worth of property were baseless.
He clarified that the Income Tax Department itself had assessed National Herald properties at Rs 413 crore. The paper owns six properties, of which five are on lease and cannot be sold.

“Despite this, baseless claims are being made. The company ‘Young Indian’ formed to revive the newspaper is a non-profit body. Not a single shareholder can earn from it,” he said.

Opposition being treated like enemies

Gehlot accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of treating opposition parties as enemies.
“The ED is being used as a tool to run the government. Even in the electoral bonds case, the ED was misused and eventually the Supreme Court had to intervene,” he said.
He described the chargesheet against Sonia and Rahul Gandhi as a joke. “It hasn’t even been made public and no summon has been issued. This shows there is no legal merit to the case.”

History of National Herald

Gehlot explained that National Herald was started in 1938 under the company Associated Journals Limited to support the freedom movement.

Due to financial losses, the publication had to shut down. The Congress later supported it by investing Rs 90 crore over 10 years through around 100 transactions and formed ‘Young Indian’ to help resume publication and pay staff salaries.

ED ‘forced’ to reopen the case

He also revealed that even Subramanian Swamy, who initially filed the complaint, stepped back from the case.
The ED had closed the investigation earlier, but under government pressure, it was reopened. “When the former ED Director opposed the second FIR, he and the investigating officer were replaced. This is shocking,” Gehlot said.

Gehlot alleged that Modi government was acting out of political revenge, misusing official machinery to harass opposition parties. “This kind of misuse is harmful to democracy. Governments come and go, but silencing the voice of the opposition is dangerous,” he said.

TNR News Network