ED Files Chargesheet Against Sonia, Rahul Gandhi in National Herald Case
New Delhi: In a major development in the National Herald case, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday filed a chargesheet against Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, alleging money laundering linked to assets worth Rs 988 crore.
The case also names Indian Overseas Congress chief Sam Pitroda, Suman Dubey, and others. The chargesheet was submitted before Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court, which is set to hear the matter on April 25.
The Congress lashed out at the move, with senior leader Jairam Ramesh calling it “vendetta politics.” He termed the ED’s action as “a state-sponsored crime masquerading as the rule of law,” insisting that the party and its leadership will not be silenced.
The case originates from a complaint filed in 2014 by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy, accusing the Gandhis and others of fraudulently acquiring properties of Associated Journals Limited (AJL), the original publisher of the National Herald, through Young Indian Limited (YIL) for just Rs 50 lakh. YIL is reportedly controlled by the Gandhis.
Following an investigation launched in 2021, the ED alleged that YIL misused AJL’s assets to generate illicit funds through bogus donations, inflated rents, and advertisement revenues. The probe uncovered financial irregularities involving Rs 18 crore in fake donations, Rs 38 crore in advance rent and Rs 29 crore through advertisement deals.
Earlier this month, the ED issued notices to registrars in Delhi, Mumbai and Lucknow concerning properties held by AJL. The agency’s attachment of assets was recently upheld by the Adjudicating Authority.
