New FIR Targets Sonia And Rahul Gandhi In National Herald Probe

The Delhi Police's Economic Offences Wing (EOW) has registered a fresh FIR against Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in the National Herald case, alleging a criminal conspiracy to fraudulently acquire Associated Journals Limited (AJL), the company linked to the National Herald newspaper and historically associated with the Congress party.

The new FIR was filed on the basis of a complaint submitted by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on October 3, which also names six additional individuals and three companies. The ED had shared the findings of its investigation with Delhi Police, and under Section 66(2) of the PMLA, the agency is empowered to direct another investigative body to register a scheduled offence.

Accused Named in the FIR

The FIR lists Indian Overseas Congress Chairman Sam Pitroda, Congress leader Suman Dubey, and three other individuals, along with three companies-Associated Journals Limited (AJL), Young Indian, and Dotex Merchandise Private Limited.

Delhi Police has invoked sections 120B (criminal conspiracy), 403 (dishonest misappropriation of property), 406 (criminal breach of trust), and 420 (cheating) of the IPC. Those named include the Gandhis, Dubey, Pitroda, Young Indian (YI), Dotex Merchandise Ltd., Dotex promoter Sunil Bhandari, AJL, and other unknown persons.

Dotex, a Kolkata-based shell company, allegedly provided Rs 1 crore, which was used in the formation of Young Indian-a not-for-profit entity in which Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi held 76% shareholding. It is alleged that Young Indian subsequently took control of AJL-whose assets were valued at around Rs 2,000 crore-by paying only Rs 50 lakh to the Congress party.

The FIR comes just a day after a Delhi court postponed its judgment in the National Herald case to December 16.

What Is the National Herald Case?

The National Herald was founded in 1938 by Jawaharlal Nehru and other freedom fighters as a newspaper representing the liberal section of the Indian National Congress. Published by Associated Journals Limited, it later became a prominent voice of the Congress in the post-Independence era. AJL also published newspapers in Hindi and Urdu.

By 2008, the National Herald shut down due to financial distress, with debts crossing Rs 90 crore.

The controversy gained prominence in 2012, when BJP leader and lawyer Subramanian Swamy filed a complaint in court, alleging cheating and criminal breach of trust in the acquisition of AJL. Swamy claimed that Young Indian Ltd had gained control over the National Herald's assets through what he described as a "malicious" takeover.