Relief for Sonia, Rahul Gandhi as Delhi Court declines cognisance of ED case in National Herald matter

A Delhi court has refused to take cognisance of the Enforcement Directorate’s money laundering complaint in the National Herald case involving Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.

In a significant development in the National Herald case, a Delhi court on Tuesday refused to take cognisance of the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) money laundering complaint against Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. The order was pronounced by Special Judge Vishal Gogne of the Rouse Avenue Courts.

The ED had filed a fresh prosecution complaint accusing Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi of offences under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. The agency invoked Sections 44 and 45 of the Act, alleging commission of money laundering under Section 3, read with Section 70, and punishable under Section 4 of the PMLA.

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The case revolves around the takeover of Associated Journals Limited (AJL), the publisher of the now-defunct National Herald newspaper. In 2010, a newly incorporated company, Young Indian Pvt Ltd (YIL), acquired AJL’s debt from the Indian National Congress for ₹50 lakh. Following this transaction, YIL gained control over AJL’s assets, which were estimated to be worth more than ₹2,000 crore.

Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi were majority shareholders in Young Indian Pvt Ltd, a fact that led to allegations that party funds were used to facilitate the transfer of control over AJL’s high-value properties. The ED has maintained that the structure of the transaction was designed to benefit specific individuals.

The enforcement agency began its investigation into the matter in 2014, examining financial dealings between the Congress party, AJL and YIL. According to the ED, the Gandhis and other Congress leaders were allegedly involved in a scheme to unlawfully acquire and control AJL’s assets.

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In recent months, the ED had also moved to take possession of properties linked to AJL, valued at around ₹661 crore, under provisions of the PMLA. These actions added to the legal and political significance of the case.

However, with the Delhi court refusing to take cognisance of the ED’s complaint at this stage, Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi have received immediate legal relief.