In a development that intensifies the political and legal spotlight on Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has alleged that they received Rs 142 crore as proceeds of crime in the National Herald money laundering case. The disclosure came during preliminary court proceedings in Delhi, where the ED is arguing for cognisance of its chargesheet.
ED’s Preliminary Arguments in Court
Appearing for the ED, Additional Solicitor General (ASG) SV Raju informed Special Judge Vishal Gogne that a prima facie case of money laundering has been established against the Rahul Gandhis and other accused individuals. This statement was part of the agency’s initial submission during the court’s assessment of whether it should officially take cognisance of the chargesheet recently filed by the ED.
The investigation is linked to the alleged financial irregularities in the acquisition of Associated Journals Ltd (AJL), the publisher of the National Herald newspaper, by Young Indian Pvt Ltd—a company in which Sonia and Rahul Gandhi are majority stakeholders. The ED’s claim of Rs 142 crore being received as proceeds of crime adds significant weight to the case.
Background and Current Proceedings
The case stems from a private complaint filed by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy on June 26, 2014, which accused the Congress leadership of financial misconduct in the AJL takeover. The magistrate court took cognisance of Swamy’s complaint, following which the ED initiated a formal investigation in 2021.
During Wednesday’s hearing, Judge Gogne directed the ED to furnish a copy of the chargesheet to Subramanian Swamy, who continues to play a central role as a complainant. On the other side, legal representatives for Sonia and Rahul Gandhi sought time to study the voluminous chargesheet and requested the court to list the matter next month to prepare their response.
