Court Dismisses ED's Money Laundering Charges Against Rahul and Sonia Gandhi in National Herald Case

Court's Decision on Money Laundering Allegations

New Delhi: On Tuesday, a New Delhi court declined to acknowledge the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) allegations of money laundering against Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, and five others linked to the National Herald case.

The ED announced plans to appeal the court's ruling.

Special Judge Vishal Gogne pointed out that the chargesheet was based on a complaint from a private individual rather than an FIR related to a predicate offense, making it legally untenable.

The judge emphasized that since the Delhi Police's Economic Offences Wing has already filed an FIR regarding the matter, it would be premature to evaluate the ED's claims based on their merits.

The ED has accused Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and other deceased party leaders, including Motilal Vora and Oscar Fernandes, along with Suman Dubey, Sam Pitroda, and the private entity Young Indian, of conspiracy and money laundering.

Allegations suggest that they acquired properties valued at around Rs 2,000 crore belonging to Associated Journals Limited (AJL), the publisher of the National Herald newspaper.

The investigation agency further claims that the Gandhis possess a 76 percent majority stake in Young Indian, which allegedly fraudulently seized AJL's assets in exchange for a Rs 90 crore loan.