New Delhi : A Delhi court on Friday issued notices to Congress Parliamentary Party Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi in connection with the National Herald money laundering case, reported the Economic Times.
The Rouse Avenue Court directed the Gandhis and other accused to explain why cognisance should not be taken of the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) charge sheet filed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
Earlier, Special Judge Vishal Gogne had temporarily refrained from acting on the ED’s prosecution complaint, instructing the agency to first address certain documentation issues. While the ED argued that the court could take cognisance without hearing the accused, the judge insisted on reviewing all documents before proceeding further. The matter was listed for hearing on May 2.
The ED has filed a prosecution complaint against several senior Congress leaders, including Sonia and Rahul Gandhi, Sam Pitroda (Congress Overseas Chief), Suman Dubey, and others. The alleged proceeds of crime are estimated at Rs 988 crore. The agency claims that properties of Associated Journals Limited (AJL), which originally published the National Herald, were illegally taken over and converted into personal assets by the Congress leadership.
Founded in 1938 by Jawaharlal Nehru and other Congress stalwarts, the National Herald was a major voice for the party during India’s freedom movement. AJL also published newspapers in Hindi and Urdu. However, operations ceased in 2008 due to debts of over Rs 90 crore.
The case gained traction after BJP leader Subramanian Swamy filed a complaint in 2012, alleging misappropriation and breach of trust by Congress leaders. In 2023, the ED attached immovable properties worth Rs 661 crore and AJL shares valued at Rs 90.2 crore, categorising them as suspected proceeds of crime.
