The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Thursday opened its arguments before Delhi’s Rouse Avenue Court, seeking formal recognition of its complaint against Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and others in a money laundering case linked to the National Herald.
The ED alleges that these leaders were involved in laundering proceeds from the newspaper’s assets.
Additional Solicitor General S. V. Raju presented the case, stating that the offence of money laundering is clearly established. He highlighted the existence of “proceeds of crime” and ongoing illegal activities that generated these proceeds. The complaint, filed under Sections 44 and 45 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), names seven accused, including Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Sam Pitroda, the company Young Indian, and two other firms.
Following these submissions, Special Judge Vishal Gogne scheduled detailed hearings for July 2 to 8, allowing time for the defence to review the extensive documents, reportedly over 5,000 pages.
Congress Accuses Government Of Targeting Rahul Gandhi
Congress leader Pawan Khera condemned the ED’s move, calling it an attempt to muzzle Rahul Gandhi after he raised tough questions about “Operation Sindoor” directed at External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Khera claimed, “Within days of Lok Sabha LoP and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi asking difficult questions to EAM S. Jaishankar and PM Modi, here is the ED trying to respond to Rahul Gandhi. Every time Rahul Gandhi asks tough questions, the government has its frontal organisations, called the ED, CBI, Income Tax, they use these agencies to silence Rahul Gandhi, but they won’t succeed. Rahul Gandhi cannot be silenced; he will continue asking these questions.”
The Congress party sees the investigation as politically motivated, aiming to suppress opposition voices.
BJP Demands Accountability for Alleged Misappropriation
On the other hand, BJP spokesperson Shehzad Poonawalla accused the Gandhi family of benefiting from public assets worth ₹5,000 crore connected to the National Herald case. He stated bluntly,
“Loota hai toh lautana hai. Today, there is all evidence of how beneficial interest from ₹5,000 crore worth of public property was directed to Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi.”
BJP’s Pradeep Bhandari echoed this, calling the ED’s chargesheet a “legal bombshell” that exposes ongoing money laundering. On social media, he wrote:
“Prima facie corruption of Sonia Gandhi & Rahul Gandhi! The Enforcement Directorate has dropped a legal bombshell in the National Herald scam — and the details are damning. Sonia & Rahul Gandhi directly enjoyed ₹142 crore in proceeds of crime. Properties linked to the National Herald were illegally held till November 2023. ED chargesheet exposes sustained money laundering — not just acquisition, but continued possession of tainted assets. ‘Relatable criminal activity’ used to retain illicit gains, highlights ASG SV Raju. Court informed of a prima facie case of money laundering against top Congress leaders. Slowly, the law catching up with corruption of Gandhi Vadra family!”
Court Schedules Further Hearings
The court acknowledged the defense’s request for more time to examine the case’s extensive evidence. After initial submissions, detailed hearings are set for early July to determine whether the court will formally take cognisance of the ED’s complaint.
This case has triggered sharp political debate, with Congress accusing the government of misusing investigative agencies for political ends, while the BJP demands justice for alleged financial crimes. The judiciary now faces the task of carefully examining the evidence and deciding the next steps in this highly sensitive matter.
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