Congress Leaders in Spotlight: ED Files Chargesheet Against Sonia and Rahul Gandhi
New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu) : In a significant escalation of the ongoing investigation into the National Herald case, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Tuesday filed a formal chargesheet against senior Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. The charges come amid an intensified crackdown on alleged financial irregularities involving the Associated Journals Limited (AJL)—the company that owns the National Herald newspaper and is reportedly linked to the Gandhis.
➤ Chargesheet Details
The chargesheet, filed in a special court under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), outlines alleged financial misconduct, including misappropriation of assets, illegal transfer of funds, and fraudulent acquisition of properties. The ED claims that AJL's assets, worth over Rs 700 crore, were transferred unlawfully to Young Indian, a company in which both Sonia and Rahul Gandhi hold majority stakes. The central agency contends that this transfer occurred without proper financial consideration and with the intent to gain control of AJL's vast property portfolio across India.
➤ Properties Under ED Radar
Just days prior to the chargesheet, the ED initiated proceedings to take possession of properties valued at over Rs 700 crore belonging to AJL. These include prime real estate assets in Delhi, Mumbai, Lucknow, Bhopal, Patna, and other major cities. According to sources, the ED believes these assets were acquired under the pretext of running a non-profit media organization but were later repurposed for commercial use in violation of legal statutes.
➤ Background of the National Herald Case
The National Herald case first came into public spotlight in 2012, when BJP leader Subramanian Swamy accused the Gandhis and other Congress leaders of misusing party funds to acquire AJL. The core allegation revolves around the creation of Young Indian Pvt Ltd, a Section 25 (non-profit) company, which allegedly took over the debts of AJL and subsequently gained control of its assets. The case has since moved through various legal stages, with the ED stepping in to probe possible violations of the PMLA.
➤ Congress Reaction
While an official statement from the Congress party was awaited at the time of filing this report, earlier responses from the party have consistently dismissed the case as a "politically motivated vendetta" by the ruling BJP-led government. Party spokespersons have asserted that all transactions were legal, transparent, and in accordance with corporate laws, and have accused the central agencies of targeting opposition leaders to distract from core national issues.
➤ What Happens Next?
The court is expected to review the ED’s chargesheet in the coming days. If it finds merit, a summons may be issued to Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and other accused. The case could also impact the political landscape ahead of upcoming elections, as both leaders play crucial roles in the Congress party's national strategy. With the ED tightening its grip, the legal battle over the National Herald saga appears far from over.
