The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has presented serious allegations against senior Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, asserting that they received ₹142 crore as proceeds of crime in the ongoing National Herald money laundering case. The agency made these claims before a special court in New Delhi, marking a significant development in a case that has long been under political and legal scrutiny.
The ED’s investigation centers on the acquisition of Associated Journals Ltd (AJL), the publisher of the now-defunct National Herald newspaper, by Young Indian Pvt Ltd, a company in which the Gandhis hold a 76% stake. The agency alleges that this acquisition was orchestrated to siphon off public funds for personal gain, effectively converting public donations to the Congress party into private assets.
According to the ED, Young Indian was used as a vehicle to acquire AJL’s assets, valued at approximately ₹2,000 crore, for a mere ₹50 lakh. The agency contends that this transaction resulted in rental income of ₹142 crore, which constitutes the alleged proceeds of crime.
The case has its origins in a 2014 private criminal complaint filed by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy, which led to the ED formally initiating its investigation in 2021. The agency has since filed a chargesheet naming Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi as the primary accused, alleging violations under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
In response to the gravity of the allegations, the Rouse Avenue court has scheduled daily hearings from July 2 to July 8, 2025, to expedite the trial.
The political ramifications of the case are significant, with the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) seizing the opportunity to criticize the Congress leadership. BJP spokesperson Sudhanshu Trivedi remarked on the alleged misuse of a newspaper founded during India’s freedom struggle, suggesting a moral decline in the Congress party’s leadership.
The Congress party has yet to issue an official response to the latest developments. However, the case continues to be a focal point of political contention, highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by the party’s top leadership.
