ED's Money Laundering Case Against Sonia & Rahul Gandhi Dismissed by Delhi Court

On Tuesday, the Delhi court dismissed the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) money laundering case against Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and five other associates regarding the National Herald matter.

The Rouse Avenue Court stated that the ED's prosecution under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) was not valid since it arose from a private complaint rather than a First Information Report (FIR). It also emphasized that the Economic Offences Wing of the Delhi Police had already initiated an FIR, rendering the ED's request to proceed inappropriate at this time.

While the court dismissed the case against the ED, it confirmed that the agency can still pursue its investigations and potentially appeal this ruling.

The Congress party expressed satisfaction with the ruling, labeling it a triumph for justice. In a social media update, the party indicated that the court ruled the ED lacked jurisdiction due to the absence of an FIR to back its case. Congress characterized the incident as politically driven, pointing out that the government has been targeting opposition leaders for the past ten years.

The ED's allegations claim that Sonia and Rahul Gandhi, along with senior Congress officials including Sam Pitroda, plotted to unlawfully seize Associated Journals Limited (AJL), which was responsible for the now-defunct National Herald publication.

About the National Herald Case:
Founded in 1938, the National Herald was a newspaper closely associated with the Congress party. It ceased publication in 2008, accumulating debts of ₹90.21 crore, while still owning real estate valued at roughly ₹2,000 crore. The ED asserts that these assets have appreciated to around ₹5,000 crore.

The case originated in November 2012, when a private complaint accused the Gandhis and other leaders of acquiring AJL properties for mere ₹50 lakh, including Herald House in Delhi and properties in Mumbai. These properties are now estimated to be worth ₹661 crore. Further claims allege substantial rental income generated by AJL, which the ED considers as "proceeds of crime" valued at close to ₹998 crore.

Responses to the court's decision have varied. While Congress has branded the case as a political vendetta, some opposition figures argue that the party is seeking to distract from other issues. Supporters such as Shiv Sena's Priyanka Chaturvedi have come to Congress's defense, denouncing the charges as a misuse of investigative authority for political aims.