Enforcement Directorate and National Herald Case
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) investigated Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and others in the National Herald case for alleged money laundering linked to the acquisition of Associated Journals Limited (AJL) assets worth over Rs 755 crore by Young Indian Private Limited. The case originated from a 2014 private complaint by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy, accusing Congress leaders of cheating and conspiracy.
Court Dismissal
On December 15, 2025, a Delhi court dismissed ED’s money laundering complaint, ruling it impermissible without a predicate FIR for the scheduled offence under PMLA. Judge Vishal Gogne noted ED registered an ECIR in 2021 despite no FIR by CBI or Delhi Police, though Delhi Police’s Economic Offences Wing later filed one.
Case Background
ED alleged Sonia Gandhi (Accused No. 1) and Rahul Gandhi (Accused No. 2) conspired to acquire AJL properties via Young Indian, treating loans as equity in a fraudulent manner. The probe involved questioning the leaders in 2022, with claims of evasive responses. No FIR existed initially for the underlying cheating offence, limiting ED’s jurisdiction.
Political Reactions
Congress hailed the verdict as a victory exposing political vendetta by the Modi government, denying any money laundering or proceeds of crime. BJP countered that Sonia and Rahul remain accused and on bail, predicting future prosecution amid ongoing probes. The original trial on Swamy’s complaint and Delhi Police FIR continue separately.
What did the Delhi court order in the National Herald judgment
On December 15, 2025, Special Judge Vishal Gogne of Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court dismissed the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) money laundering complaint in the National Herald case. The court ruled the chargesheet impermissible because it stemmed from a private complaint by Subramanian Swamy under Section 200 CrPC, not a predicate FIR for a scheduled offence under PMLA.
Key Reasons
The judge held that ED lacks jurisdiction without a preceding FIR for the underlying cheating or conspiracy offence, as private complaints do not enable money laundering probes. He deemed it premature to assess merits, given Delhi Police EOW’s recent FIR on October 3, 2025, and ED’s ongoing investigation tied to it. No cognizance was taken, but other proceedings like Swamy’s original case and the EOW FIR continue.
Separate FIR Ruling
In a related order, the same judge ruled Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and others are not entitled to copies of the EOW FIR, overturning a magistrate’s direction, though they must be informed of its registration. This underscores procedural limits before formal charges.
