National Herald case: What ED chargesheet says on Sonia, Rahul Gandhi

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a chargesheet against senior Congress leaders, including Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, in connection with the National Herald money laundering case.

Special Judge Vishal Gogne, who received the chargesheet on April 9, has taken up the matter for cognisance and scheduled the next hearing for April 25.

According to the ED’s prosecution complaint, Sonia Gandhi, former Congress president, is listed as the primary accused, followed by Rahul Gandhi, the current Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha.

Filed under multiple provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the chargesheet also includes Congress-linked individuals Suman Dubey and Sam Pitroda, the companies Young Indian and Dotex Merchandise Private Limited, and Sunil Bhandari of Dotex Merchandise as accused.

The agency has invoked Sections 44 and 45 of the PMLA for the alleged offence of money laundering under Section 3. It has also cited Section 70 of the Act, which pertains to corporate offences, aiming to establish the responsibility of office-bearers and executives. The ED is pressing for penalties under Section 4 of the PMLA, which carries a maximum imprisonment of seven years.

Details of allegations

Quoting a 2017 Income Tax assessment, the ED has alleged that officials from the All India Congress Committee (AICC), along with key personnel from Associated Journals Limited (AJL) and Young Indian, were involved in a ‘criminal conspiracy’ to take over AJL’s assets, valued at around ₹2,000 crore, according to news agency PTI.

The chargesheet claims that 99 per cent of AJL’s shares were handed over to Young Indian for a mere ₹50 lakh. Both Sonia and Rahul Gandhi reportedly own 38 per cent each in the firm, while the remaining stake was split between the late Motilal Vora and Oscar Fernandes, whom the ED identifies as ‘close associates’ of the Gandhi family.

It further alleges that a ₹90.21 crore loan extended by AICC to AJL was later converted into equity shares worth ₹9.02 crore, which were acquired by Young Indian at a nominal price — effectively granting Sonia and Rahul Gandhi ‘beneficial ownership’ of AJL’s extensive real estate assets.

Although Congress has argued that Young Indian, registered under Section 25 of the Companies Act, operated as a not-for-profit entity, the ED said that the firm conducted no charitable work.

The ED has also cited the same Income Tax order to allege that Young Indian avoided over ₹414 crore in taxes through the ‘illegal acquisition’ of AJL’s assets.

The investigation stems from a complaint filed by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy, which a Delhi court took cognisance of in June 2014. The ED formally began its probe in 2021.

Congress stages protest against Centre

Congress leader Sachin Pilot said, “This is a politically motivated case. We have faith in the judicial system. We will fight it out legally...Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi have been purposefully targeted. This has been done to suppress the voice of the opposition...”

Congress MP Imran Pratapgarhi said, "The agency through which the fight has been taken to the court has the intention only to harass the Opposition. A session is held in Gujarat, Rahul Gandhi reaches Modasa and here a chargesheet is filed. You understand the chronology. In wake of upcoming Bihar elections, Congress’ activity in Gujarat, BJP’s possible defeat in upcoming Assam elections and the alertness of opposition, BJP wants to completely crush the opposition... But BJP forgets that this is Gandhi family which has made numerous sacrifices for the country... The Congress is protesting across the country.”

ED summons Robert Vadra in land deal case

The ED on Tuesday summoned businessman Robert Vadra, brother-in-law of Rahul Gandhi, in a money laundering case linked to a 2008 land deal in Shikohpur, Haryana. Vadra’s firm, Skylight Hospitality, bought land for ₹7.5 crore and later agreed to sell it to DLF for ₹58 crore. Arriving at the ED office with supporters, Vadra called the probe politically motivated, accusing the government of misusing agencies. Vadra, 56, had skipped an earlier summons and will now be questioned under the PMLA. He has also been probed previously in another money laundering case.

In response to the ED interrogation, Vadra told news agency ANI, “Hum kisi se darte nahi hai...We are the target because we are relevant. Whether Rahul Gandhi is stopped in the parliament or I am stopped outside. We are the target for sure but we are not the soft target, we are the hard target.”

He further said, “When this investigation was done in Haryana, the administration found that there was nothing wrong. Khattar ji gave me a clean chit in the same case. I fail to understand why am I being questioned after 7 years again...”