Delhi Court Dismisses Money Laundering Case Against Rahul and Sonia Gandhi
Court Ruling on National Herald Case
A court in Delhi ruled on Tuesday to dismiss a money-laundering complaint filed by the Enforcement Directorate against Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi concerning the National Herald case.
Special Judge Vishal Gogne of the Rouse Avenue Court stated that the complaint, lodged under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, was not valid as it stemmed from a private complaint made by Bharatiya Janata Party leader Subramanian Swamy.
The judge emphasized that the case lacked a first information report (FIR), making it legally impermissible to proceed.
According to the court, the Enforcement Directorate can only pursue a money-laundering case if it is based on an FIR related to an alleged offense under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act.
Furthermore, the judge noted that since the Delhi Police’s Economic Offences Wing had recently registered an FIR in this matter, it would be premature to evaluate the merits of the Enforcement Directorate's allegations.
Judge Gogne also mentioned that the law enforcement agency could submit additional information if desired.
The Enforcement Directorate has announced plans to appeal the court's decision.
Background of the Allegations
In April 2008, the National Herald newspaper, originally founded and edited by Jawaharlal Nehru, ceased operations due to debts exceeding Rs 90 crore.
Subramanian Swamy filed a complaint in 2012, accusing Sonia and Rahul Gandhi of establishing a company named Young Indian to acquire the debt using party funds.
Swamy alleged that Young Indian paid merely Rs 50 lakh to gain the rights to recover Rs 90.2 crore owed by Associated Journals Limited to the Congress party.
The Congress party contends that no money was exchanged; rather, the debt was converted into equity to settle various obligations, including employee salaries.
On October 3, an Enforcement Directorate Assistant Director filed a complaint with the Delhi Police, claiming that government properties allocated to Associated Journals Limited for public welfare were allegedly misappropriated for personal benefit.
The FIR cited sections of the Indian Penal Code related to cheating, criminal conspiracy, and misappropriation of property, naming several individuals and entities, including Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Young Indian.
The Enforcement Directorate accused the involved parties of orchestrating a significant criminal conspiracy and financial fraud, asserting that Young Indian unlawfully took control of properties valued over Rs 2,000 crore for a mere Rs 50 lakh.
They alleged that the accused exploited these assets through fraudulent activities, such as collecting fake rents and generating false revenue through sham advertisements, thereby laundering illicit funds under the guise of legitimate transactions.
In November, the Delhi Police’s Economic Offences Wing registered a new FIR based on the Enforcement Directorate's request, which allows the agency to share evidence for the registration of predicate offenses.
On Monday, the court ruled that Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, and the other accused were not entitled to a copy of the FIR filed against them by the Delhi Police, although they could be informed that an FIR had been registered.
Congress Reacts to Court's Decision
Following the court's ruling, the Congress party declared that 'truth has prevailed.' They criticized the Modi government, asserting that the court found the Enforcement Directorate's case lacked jurisdiction due to the absence of an FIR.
The party claimed that the politically motivated prosecution against them over the past decade has been exposed, stating there was no evidence of money laundering or illicit property movement.
Truth has prevailed
— Congress (@INCIndia) December 16, 2025
The malafide and illegality of the Modi govt stands fully exposed. Proceedings of ED against the Congress leadership - Smt Sonia Gandhi Ji and Shri Rahul Gandhi Ji, in the Young Indian case have been found completely illegal and malafide by the Honourable…
Congress leader Abhishek Singhvi described the case as 'the strangest ever,' noting that the judge did not find the Enforcement Directorate's complaint worthy of consideration.
He remarked on social media about the lack of any movement of money or property, despite the Enforcement Directorate's claims of significant money laundering.
Congress leader Ashok Gehlot stated that the court's ruling was 'proof of the victory of truth over power,' asserting that the case was fabricated by the Modi government to tarnish the Gandhi family's reputation.
Bharatiya Janata Party spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla commented that the order did not represent a setback for the Enforcement Directorate or a relief for the Gandhis, emphasizing that there was no comment on the merits of the case.
Big Relief for Gandhis in National Herald case?
— Shehzad Jai Hind (Modi Ka Parivar) (@Shehzad_Ind) December 16, 2025
Really ?
Nope 👎 Facts BELOW
Legal position
Today’s order is no setback for ED or any relief for Gandhis- there is no comment on merits of the case
Here are the facts:
1) firstly - Judge Gogne set aside the Magistrate…