National Herald Case: Delhi Court Issues Notice to Sonia, Rahul Gandhi on ED Charges

NEW DELHI:
In a fresh development in the high-profile National Herald money laundering case, a Delhi court on Friday issued notices to Congress Parliamentary Party chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Lok Sabha Leader of Opposition Rahul Gandhi, asking them to show cause why cognisance should not be taken on the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) charge sheet.

The notice was issued by the Rouse Avenue Courts, which also sought responses from other accused, including Congress Overseas chief Sam Pitroda and senior party member Suman Dubey.

The charge sheet filed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) pegs the alleged proceeds of crime at a staggering Rs 988 cr. The ED has accused the Congress leadership of misappropriating properties of Associated Journals Limited (AJL), the original publisher of the National Herald, through a scheme involving Young Indian Ltd a company in which Sonia and Rahul Gandhi are majority stakeholders.

Previously, Special Judge (PC Act) Vishal Gogne had declined to issue immediate notice, directing the ED to correct procedural defects and place all necessary documents on record. “I cannot pass such an order until satisfied,” the judge remarked, postponing the hearing to May 2.

The National Herald, founded in 1938 by Jawaharlal Nehru and other Congress leaders, played a pivotal role during India’s freedom struggle. Its operations ceased in 2008 due to debts of over Rs 90 cr. The controversy surrounding its assets emerged in 2012 after BJP leader Subramanian Swamy accused the Congress leadership of illegally acquiring AJL through Young Indian for a nominal Rs 50 lac, despite the assets’ high market value.

In November 2023, the ED attached AJL assets worth Rs 661 cr and shares valued at Rs 90.2 cr, terming them suspected proceeds of crime in the case.