National Herald case: Delhi HC seeks Sonia, Rahul Gandhi's response
What's the story
The Delhi High Court has issued notices to Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and others in the National Herald money laundering case. The court was hearing a plea filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) against a trial court order. The trial court had refused to take cognizance of an ED complaint on the grounds that it wasn't based on a registered FIR for the predicate offense.
Legal proceedings
ED challenges trial court's decision in National Herald case
The ED has challenged the trial court's decision in the Delhi High Court. The agency is represented by Solicitor General Tushar Mehta. He argued that the trial court erred in holding that cognizance was impermissible without an FIR. Mehta contended that judicial cognizance of a scheduled offense on a private complaint satisfies the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) requirements.
Case details
Gandhi family accused of money laundering in National Herald case
The ED has accused Sonia, Rahul, Suman Dubey, Sam Pitroda, the late Motilal Vora, the late Oscar Fernandes, and Young Indian Pvt Ltd of criminal conspiracy and money laundering. The allegations pertain to the alleged fraudulent acquisition of Associated Journals Limited (AJL) assets worth ₹2,000 crore through a ₹90 crore loan from the Congress party to Young Indian for just ₹50 lakh.
Court proceedings
Trial court's refusal and Gandhi family's defense
The trial court had refused to take cognizance of the ED's complaint in December 2025. The court observed that no FIR was registered by CBI or police for the scheduled offense, making PMLA action not maintainable. However, it clarified that the ED could continue its probe as per the law. Senior advocates Abhishek Manu Singhvi and RS Cheema appeared for the Gandhis during these proceedings.
Case background
National Herald case: A politically motivated vendetta?
The National Herald case has been a long-running legal battle for the Gandhi family. It originated from BJP leader Subramanian Swamy's 2012 private complaint and has seen multiple rounds of summons, bail grants, and appeals over allegations of cheating, breach of trust, and improper asset transfer involving the historic National Herald newspaper founded by Jawaharlal Nehru. Congress leaders have repeatedly described the case as a politically motivated vendetta, while the BJP maintains that it exposes serious financial irregularities.