Key Points
- Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court has issued formal notices to Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and other Congress leaders in the National Herald money laundering case after taking cognizance of the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) chargesheet.
- The ED alleges a criminal conspiracy to acquire Associated Journals Limited (AJL) assets worth over ₹2,000 crore for just ₹50 lakh through Young Indian Limited, in which the Gandhis hold a controlling stake.
- The case stems from a complaint filed in 2014 and has led to the attachment of AJL properties and the summoning of top Congress leadership for a hearing on May 8, 2025.
- The court emphasized the accused’s right to be heard at this stage, reinforcing fair trial principles.
New Delhi: The legal troubles for Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi have intensified, with Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court issuing formal notices to both in connection with the high-profile National Herald money laundering case. The move comes after the court took cognizance of the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) detailed chargesheet, which alleges a conspiracy involving the acquisition of vast assets belonging to Associated Journals Limited (AJL)-the historic publisher of the National Herald newspaper.
What Led to the Court Notice?
On April 9, 2025, the ED filed its prosecution complaint under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), naming Sonia Gandhi as accused number 1 and Rahul Gandhi as accused number 2. Other accused include senior Congress figures Sam Pitroda and Suman Dubey, as well as Young Indian Limited and Dotex Merchandise Private Limited. The ED’s investigation centers on allegations that the Gandhis and their associates orchestrated a “criminal conspiracy” to take control of AJL’s assets-valued at over ₹2,000 crore-by acquiring the company through Young Indian Limited for a mere ₹50 lakh.
The Alleged Modus Operandi
- Background: The National Herald, founded by Jawaharlal Nehru in 1938, was published by AJL, a company with significant real estate holdings in Delhi, Mumbai, and Lucknow.
- The Transaction: According to the ED, the Indian National Congress provided an unsecured loan of about ₹90 crore to AJL. This loan was later assigned to Young Indian Limited-a not-for-profit entity in which Sonia and Rahul Gandhi each hold a 38% stake-for just ₹50 lakh.
- Asset Transfer: Through this arrangement, Young Indian allegedly gained control of AJL’s valuable properties, bypassing proper valuation and transparency. The ED claims that this amounted to money laundering and misappropriation of assets meant for journalistic purposes.
Court Proceedings and Next Steps
The court, led by Special Judge Vishal Gogne, acknowledged the accused’s right to be heard at the stage of cognizance, stating that this is essential for a fair trial. The next hearing is scheduled for May 8, 2025, where Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and other accused must appear before the court to respond to the charges and the ED’s evidence.
Political and Legal Impact
The National Herald case has been a political flashpoint for years. The ED’s actions-including the attachment of AJL properties worth ₹661 crore and the filing of the chargesheet-have been defended by the BJP as necessary for protecting public assets, while Congress leaders have denounced the probe as a politically motivated vendetta.
Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and other Congress leaders now face a crucial court hearing in the National Herald money laundering case, with the ED alleging a massive asset grab through Young Indian Limited. The court’s notice and upcoming hearing signal a significant escalation in a case that has major legal and political ramifications for India’s oldest political party.
