New Delhi: The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Delhi Police has issued a formal notice to Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar as part of its ongoing investigation into the National Herald case, seeking comprehensive disclosures about his financial transactions and involvement with party-linked entities.

The notice, dated November 29, directs Shivakumar, a senior Congress leader and former party treasurer, to either appear before the investigators in person or submit the requested information by December 19. The EOW cited the Deputy CM as a potential holder of “vital information” relevant to the FIR registered on October 3 against Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.

According to the notice, the EOW has asked Shivakumar to provide a detailed account of his personal and political background, including his association with the Congress party, and furnish a complete record of any funds transferred by him, or through linked entities, to Young Indian (YI). Investigators have requested copies of income tax returns, bank statements, financial records, and any donation certificates connected to the transfers under scrutiny.

The notice contains pointed queries regarding the nature, source, and purpose of the transfers. It also seeks clarification on whether Shivakumar communicated with YI officials or All India Congress Committee (AICC) functionaries in connection with the transactions, whether the payments were executed on someone else’s instructions, and whether he was aware of how the funds were ultimately utilized. A specific question asks whether any donation certificates were issued against these payments.

The National Herald case originated from a private complaint filed in 2013 by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy. The complaint alleged that the assets of Associated Journals Limited (AJL), valued at over ₹2,000 crore, were acquired by Young Indian for ₹50 lakh through a 2010 transaction facilitated by the All India Congress Committee. Young Indian, in which Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi hold a 76% stake, is at the center of the case.

In October, the EOW registered a fresh FIR based on a complaint from the Enforcement Directorate, invoking charges of criminal conspiracy, cheating, and criminal breach of trust in connection with the transfer of AJL assets. The FIR alleges that the transactions were executed without proper disclosure and raised questions about the legality and intent behind the transfer of the publication house’s assets to Young Indian.

Shivakumar, who has been a prominent Congress leader in Karnataka for decades, now faces scrutiny under this renewed investigation, which seeks to map the flow of funds and ascertain whether any legal or procedural violations occurred during the transfer. The EOW’s notice is part of a broader probe that is examining the roles of various party leaders, their involvement in Young Indian, and the alleged misappropriation of AJL assets.

Sources in the police and investigative agencies indicate that officials are examining financial records meticulously, cross-referencing bank statements with the company’s filings and donation receipts. “We are reviewing all financial links to determine the source, utilization, and legality of the transactions,” said an officer familiar with the investigation, requesting anonymity.

This development adds a new chapter to the long-running National Herald case, which has seen multiple rounds of legal proceedings and scrutiny from investigative agencies. While Sonia and Rahul Gandhi have been named in the FIR, the notice to Shivakumar underscores the EOW’s efforts to examine the broader network of political and financial ties associated with Young Indian and AJL.

The Deputy CM has not yet publicly commented on the notice, and it remains to be seen whether he will comply by appearing before the EOW or submitting the requested documents in writing. Legal experts say that failure to comply with the notice could lead to coercive measures, including potential summons under the criminal procedural code.

The National Herald case continues to be politically sensitive, drawing attention from multiple quarters. With Karnataka’s DyCM now under the EOW’s lens, the investigation may shed further light on the financial and administrative intricacies surrounding Young Indian and its acquisition of AJL assets. Officials indicate that the investigation is ongoing and could lead to further notices or actions against other individuals connected to the transactions as the inquiry progresses.

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