Delhi Court Delays Notice to Rahul, Sonia Gandhi in ED National Herald Money Laundering Case

Delhi Court Delays Notice to Rahul, Sonia Gandhi in ED National Herald Money Laundering Case

The ED has sought punishment under Section 4 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), which can carry a jail term up to seven years.

RMN News Report

New Delhi, April 25, 2025 – A court in Delhi on Friday (April 25) refused to issue notice to Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi in the National Herald money laundering case. The Rouse Avenue Court, presided over by Special Judge (PC Act) (CBI) Vishal Gogne, asked the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to provide more documents and address defects.

The ED had filed a prosecution complaint (chargesheet) against the Gandhis and others, alleging money laundering. The agency argued that notices should be issued to the accused after the chargesheet was filed. However, Judge Gogne stated that the court must be convinced before issuing such notices, remarking, “I cannot pass such an order until satisfied,”. The matter is now listed for the next hearing on May 2.

The National Herald case originated from a private complaint by former Union Minister Subramanian Swamy. It pertains to the assignment of a ₹90 crore loan from the Congress party to Associated Journals Ltd (AJL), owner of the National Herald. This loan was allegedly assigned to Young Indian, a firm controlled by the Gandhis, for a consideration of just ₹50 lakh.

The ED alleges a criminal conspiracy to usurp assets of AJL, with alleged misappropriation of assets worth over ₹2,000 crore in an equity transaction. The agency’s chargesheet claims proceeds of crime worth ₹5,000 crore and estimates the current market value of the assets at ₹5,000 crore.

[ National Herald Money Laundering Case: A Study Guide ]

It is alleged that 99% of AJL’s shares were transferred to Young Indian for ₹50 lakh. The ED claims this transfer allegedly made Sonia and Rahul Gandhi the “beneficial” owners of AJL’s properties worth thousands of crores.

The prosecution complaint was filed against Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and others including Young Indian. Other individuals mentioned in sources in connection with the case include Sam Pitroda, Suman Dubey, Motilal Vora, and Oscar Fernandes.

The ED has sought punishment under Section 4 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), which can carry a jail term up to seven years. The upcoming hearing on May 2 is a critical juncture in the case.