ED’s National Herald case against Sonia, Rahul Gandhi collapses in court
Citing a lack of FIR by other agencies, a Delhi Court on Tuesday refused to take cognisance of the Enforcement Directorate‘s money laundering charges against Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and five others in the National Herald case. Special Judge Vishal Gogne noted that the chargesheet filed in the case is based on aninvestigationinto a complaint by aprivate person, rather than an FIR of a predicate offence. Its cognisance is impermissible in law, the judge said. The ED said it would file an appeal against the court order.
Reading out the operative part from the order, the judge said the Delhi Police’s Economic Offences Wing has already lodged an FIR in the case, and hence it will be premature to adjudicate on ED’s arguments in the case based on merits. The ED has accused Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, as well as late party leaders Motilal Vora and Oscar Fernandes, along with Suman Dubey, Sam Pitroda, and a private company, Young Indian, of conspiracy and money laundering.
Based on the private case of BJP leader Subramanian Swamy, the ED chargesheeted that Sonia and Rahul Gandhi controlled firm Young Indian acquired properties worth approximately Rs.2,000 crore belonging to Associated Journals Limited (AJL), which publishes the National Herald newspaper. ED agency further alleged that the Gandhis held the majority 76 percent shares in Young Indian, which “fraudulently” usurped the assets of AJL in exchange for a Rs.90 crore loan.
Later, the Court set aside a Magisterial court’s order directing the Delhi Police to provide a copy of an FIR registered by them against Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi in connection with the National Herald case.
Special Judge Vishal Gogne was hearing a plea filed by the Delhi Police, challenging the magisterial court’s order, arguing that Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, and others mentioned in the case are not entitled to a copy of the FIR. The judge, however, ruled that the accused may be informed that the FIR has been registered.
Delhi Police, on October 3, filed an FIR against Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, and other accused in the National Herald case on a complaint by the ED as part of the federal probe agency’s money laundering probe into charges that the Gandhis “abused” their position for personal gains.
The police mentioned criminal conspiracy, dishonest misappropriation of property, criminal breach of trust, and cheating charges in the FIR that names the Gandhis, Congress leaders Suman Dubey and Sam Pitroda, entities like the Young Indian (YI) and Dotex Merchandise Ltd, Dotex promoter Sunil Bhandari, Associated Journals Ltd (AJL), and unknown others. These entities, except unknown others, are also named as accused in the ED chargesheet filed before a Delhi court in April.
For all the latest updates, download PGurus App.
- Reliance says not received any Russian oil in three weeks, none expected in January - January 6, 2026
- US control of Venezuelan oil may unlock $1 billion stuck dues for India - January 4, 2026
- US strikes Venezuela; captures Maduro and wife - January 3, 2026
The Judges need to be sent to some punishment posting or removed from their position. So many glaring crimes this Italian Bar Maid, Basanti & Pappu have done & they are unaware of it ? Inaction on the charges is making them bolder & bolder to the extent the abuses are reaching new levels every day. Wish the same is said to the Judge also i.e…..his kaber kho ……
Chalk another spectacular win for our Home Minister.