Key Points
- The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a chargesheet against Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Sam Pitroda, Suman Dubey, and others in the National Herald money laundering case.
- The case centers on allegations that Congress leaders fraudulently acquired Associated Journals Limited (AJL) assets worth over ₹2,000 crore for just ₹50 lakh through Young Indian Private Limited, in which Sonia and Rahul Gandhi each hold a 38% stake.
- ED has initiated proceedings to seize immovable assets worth ₹661 crore in Delhi, Mumbai, and Lucknow linked to the case.
- The court will consider the chargesheet for cognizance on April 25, 2025.
- Congress has denounced the ED’s actions as “vendetta politics,” while the Gandhis and other accused deny wrongdoing.
New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has intensified its probe into the National Herald money laundering case, filing a comprehensive chargesheet against top Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Indian Overseas Congress chief Sam Pitroda, veteran journalist Suman Dubey, and several others. The chargesheet, submitted to Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court on April 9, marks a significant escalation in the high-profile investigation that has gripped Indian politics for over a decade.
Details of the Chargesheet and Next Steps
Special Judge Vishal Gogne reviewed the chargesheet and scheduled the matter for further proceedings on April 25, 2025, when the court will consider whether to take cognizance of the allegations. The ED has been directed to provide a clean and OCR-readable copy of the complaint and supporting documents before the next hearing.
The chargesheet has been filed under Sections 3 and 4 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), which pertain to the offense and punishment of money laundering, as well as Sections 44 and 45, which deal with prosecution and bail provisions.
Allegations and Asset Seizure
The ED alleges that Sonia and Rahul Gandhi, through Young Indian Private Limited where they each hold a 38% stake fraudulently acquired Associated Journals Limited (AJL), the publisher of the National Herald newspaper, for just ₹50 lakh, despite AJL’s assets being valued at over ₹2,000 crore. The agency claims that these assets were then used to generate further “proceeds of crime” through bogus donations, advance rent, and advertisements totaling several crore.
In a parallel move, the ED has initiated proceedings to seize immovable assets worth ₹661 crore in Delhi, Mumbai, and Lucknow, including the iconic Herald House in Delhi’s ITO area, a property in Bandra, Mumbai, and the AJL building in Lucknow. Notices have been posted at these locations, seeking vacation or transfer of rent to the ED.
Background of the Case
The National Herald case originated from a 2014 complaint by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy, who alleged that the Gandhi family and other Congress leaders orchestrated a “criminal conspiracy” to take control of AJL’s vast real estate portfolio at a fraction of its value. The case has survived multiple legal challenges and has been upheld by both the Delhi High Court and the Supreme Court, allowing the ED’s investigation to proceed.
Both Sonia and Rahul Gandhi were questioned by the ED in 2022 regarding their roles in Young Indian and the acquisition of AJL’s assets. The ED’s investigation has since expanded to include other Congress leaders and entities allegedly involved in the transactions.
Political Reactions
The Congress party has strongly condemned the ED’s actions, calling them “vendetta politics” and an attempt to intimidate opposition leaders. Senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh stated, “Seizing the assets of the National Herald is a state-sponsored crime masquerading as the rule of law. Filing chargesheets against Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and others is nothing but the politics of vendetta and intimidation by the PM and the Home Minister gone completely berserk. The INC and its leadership will not be silenced”.
What’s Next?
The Rouse Avenue Court will take up the matter on April 25, 2025, to decide on the cognizance of the chargesheet. Meanwhile, the ED’s move to seize assets has added a new dimension to the case, with the Congress vowing to fight the legal battle and terming the investigation as politically motivated.
