Delhi Court To Hear National Herald Money Laundering Case Against Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi On May 21

A Delhi Court on Thursday adjourned hearing in the National Herald money laundering case against Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.

Special Judge (PC Act) Vishal Gogne of the Rouse Avenue Courts listed the matter for hearing on May 21 and 22.

The judge noted that notice to a co accused namely Sam Pitroda was sent through email today and thus, it would be appropriate to hear arguments on cognisance of Enforcement Directorate's chargesheet on the next date of hearing.

ASG SV Raju appeared for ED in the matter today.

Senior Advocates Dr. AM Singhvi and RS Cheema along with Advocate Tarannum Cheema appeared for Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.

Accused M/s Young Indian was represented by Senior Advocate Madhav Khurana along with Advocates Nakul Gandhi and Aakash.

Accused Suman Dubey was represented by Advocate Sushil Bajaj.

Accused M/s Dotex Merchandise Pvt. Ltd was represented by Senior Advocate PK Dubey along with Advocate Gautam Khazanchi. 

On May 02, the Court had issued notice to the two Congress leaders in the matter.

Earlier this month, ED filed the prosecution complaint against the Gandhis in the case. The fresh prosecution complaint has been filed under sections 44 and 45 of Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) 2002 for commission of offence of money laundering.

The controversy centers around the acquisition of Associated Journals Limited (AJL), the publisher of the now-defunct National Herald newspaper. In 2010, a newly formed company, Young Indian Pvt Ltd (YIL), acquired AJL's debts from the Indian National Congress for ₹50 lakh. Subsequently, YIL took control of AJL's assets, which were valued at over ₹2,000 crore. Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi held a majority stake in YIL, leading to allegations that they used party funds to gain control of AJL's valuable properties.

The ED's investigation, initiated in 2014, focused on the financial transactions between the Congress party, AJL, and YIL. The agency alleges that the Gandhis and other Congress leaders engaged in a scheme to misappropriate AJL's assets for personal gain. Recently, the ED has moved to take possession of properties linked to AJL, valued at approximately ₹661 crore, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).