Enforcement Directorate Names Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi In National Herald Money Laundering Chargesheet

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday mentioned Congress MPs Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi's name in National Herald case chargesheet over money laundering allegations. The National Herald case has not only drawn people's attention but also ignited another Congress vs BJP contest after senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh termed ED's move politically motivated.

He criticised BJP, terming it as "vendetta politics" and labeled the seizure of National Herald's assets as a "state-sponsored crime masquerading as the rule of law."

"Seizing the assets of the National Herald is a state-sponsored crime masquerading as the rule of law. Filing chargesheets against Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and some others is nothing but the politics of vendetta and intimidation by the PM and the Home Minister (have) gone completely berserk. The INC and its leadership will not be silenced. Satyameva Jayate," Jairam Ramesh said.

The ED chargesheet, lodged before Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court, also names Indian Overseas Congress chief Sam Pitroda, Suman Dubey, others.

The hearing of this matter is scheduled for April 25, 2025.

Earlier, on April 11, the ED had issued notices to property registrars across Delhi, Mumbai, and Lucknow, targeting assets owned by Associated Journals Limited (AJL). These assets, now under the control of Young Indian Limited (YIL) - a company substantially owned by Sonia and Rahul Gandhi - have been at the center of this controversy.

The probe by the Enforcement Directorate initiated in 2021, following accusations leveled by Subramanian Swamy in 2014.

According to the ED, its investigation has uncovered a complex web of financial irregularities amounting to Rs 988 crore tied to AJL's assets. The agency's efforts have revealed alleged maneuvers to launder money, including bogus donations amounting to Rs 18 crore, advance rent of Rs 38 crore, and Rs 29 crore through advertisements. This intricate network of transactions led to the provisional attachment of properties, a decision recently upheld by an Adjudicating Authority.