Delhi Police Issues Notice to D K Shivakumar in National Herald Investigation: Financial Details Sought

The EOW has asked Shivakumar to appear before it or provide the requested information by December 19.

New Delhi:

The Delhi Police has issued a notice to Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar requesting financial and transactional details as part of their investigation into the National Herald case, according to an official statement on Friday.

The notice from the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) indicates that Shivakumar is believed to possess "vital information" related to the National Herald case registered on October 3 this year against Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.

In the notice dated November 29, the EOW has requested Shivakumar to either appear in person or submit the required information by December 19 at the latest.

Investigators are seeking information about his personal background, his connection to the Congress party, and comprehensive details regarding funds allegedly transferred by him or associated entities to Young Indian.

Sources close to the Karnataka deputy chief minister claim he is being targeted for "not playing ball" with the BJP, suggesting he is among the key leaders "taking the hit" for Congress.

They further stated that Shivakumar is the "most persecuted" among Congress leaders, but expressed confidence that the BJP would not succeed in "breaking him".

"This is to inform you that the EOW, Delhi Police is investigating the above cited case FIR and that you are supposed to be having vital information in respect of the above case," the notice declared.

The EOW's questions include the purpose behind Shivakumar's bank transfers, the origin of these funds, details of any communication between him and Young Indian or AICC (All India Congress Committee) officials, whether the payments were made following anyone's instructions, and if he was aware of how the funds would be used.

The EOW has also requested income tax records, financial statements, and any donation certificates issued in relation to the payments.

The National Herald case, initially prompted by a 2013 private complaint from BJP leader Subramanian Swamy, centers on allegations that Associated Journals Limited (AJL) assets valued at over Rs 988 crore were acquired by Young Indian for merely Rs 50 lakh through a 2010 transaction involving the AICC.

The FIR filed by the EOW, based on a complaint from the Enforcement Directorate, alleges criminal conspiracy, cheating, and criminal breach of trust regarding the transfer of AJL assets to Young Indian, a company in which Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi collectively hold 76 percent stakes.