BIG relief for Rahul, Sonia Gandhi in National Herald case as Delhi high court refuses to take cognisance of ED’s money laundering complaint

The latest ruling is being viewed as a procedural victory for the Gandhi family, even as the investigation into the National Herald case continues.

A Delhi court on Tuesday refused to accept the Enforcement Directorate’s money laundering case against Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and five others in the National Herald matter. However, the court said that the ED is free to continue its investigation in the case. The court also ruled that Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and other accused persons are not entitled to receive a copy of the FIR registered by the Delhi Police in this case.

The FIR was filed by the Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of the Delhi Police on October 3. It named Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Sam Pitroda, Suman Dubey, Young Indian and others as accused. They were booked for offences such as cheating, misuse of property, criminal breach of trust and criminal conspiracy.

The FIR was registered based on information shared by the Enforcement Directorate under Section 66(2) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The ED is already investigating the money laundering aspect of the National Herald case. This probe is based on an earlier court order that took note of a criminal complaint filed by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy.

About the National Herald case

The National Herald case is linked to the takeover of Associated Journals Limited (AJL), the company that used to publish the National Herald newspaper, which is no longer in circulation.

In 2010, a new company called Young Indian Private Limited (YIL) was formed. This company bought AJL’s debt from the Indian National Congress for Rs. 50 lakh. After this deal, YIL gained control over AJL and its properties, which are estimated to be worth more than Rs. 2,000 crore.

Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi owned most of the shares in Young Indian. Because of this, questions were raised about whether party funds were used to take control of AJL’s valuable properties.

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) began investigating the matter in 2014. Its probe looks into the money flow between the Congress party, AJL and Young Indian.

The ED claims that the Gandhis and other Congress leaders planned the transactions in a way that allowed them to take control of AJL’s assets for personal benefit.