ED files charge sheet against Sonia, Rahul Gandhi in National Herald money laundering case

New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a charge sheet against Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in connection with a money laundering case linked to the National Herald and Associated Journals Limited (AJL).

The charge sheet was filed on April 9 and the matter has been posted for hearing before Special Judge Vishal Gogne at the Rouse Avenue Court on April 25.

Congress leaders Sam Pitroda and Suman Dubey have also been named as accused in the case. All four leaders have been questioned multiple times by the ED over alleged financial irregularities related to the National Herald newspaper.

The agency reportedly sought details about the operations of the Young Indian company, AJL, loans extended to AJL, and other related matters.

The development comes just two days after the ED issued notices to take possession of immovable assets worth Rs 661 crore belonging to AJL, which is run by the Congress.

The ED had pasted eviction notices on Herald House at ITO in Delhi, a building in Bandra, Mumbai, and the AJL office on Bisheshwar Nath Road in Lucknow.

The federal agency has invoked Section 8 and Rule 5(1) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) for the action. The properties in question had been attached by the ED in November 2023 as part of its investigation into alleged financial irregularities by AJL and Young Indian Private Limited.

AJL, which publishes the National Herald, is owned by Young Indian. Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi are major shareholders in the company, holding 38 percent each.

The ED said the attached properties are located across several cities, including Delhi, Mumbai, and Lucknow.