A Delhi court on Friday issued formal notices to senior Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in connection with the ongoing National Herald money laundering case.
Special Judge Vishal Gogne emphasized the significance of ensuring a fair trial, stating that the “right to be heard at any stage breathes life into a fair trial.”
He added that this right would be upheld during the court’s cognisance of the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) chargesheet. The matter has now been scheduled for hearing on May 8.
The case stems from a private complaint originally filed by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy on June 26, 2014, which accused several Congress figures of a criminal conspiracy.
The ED launched its official investigation in 2021, following a magistrate court’s decision to take cognisance of the complaint.
According to the ED, the case involves alleged money laundering linked to the fraudulent acquisition of assets worth over ₹2,000 crore, belonging to Associated Journals Limited (AJL)—the publisher of the now-defunct National Herald newspaper.
The properties in question were allegedly misappropriated through a complex web of transactions involving Young Indian Pvt Ltd, a company controlled by key Congress leaders.
Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi each own 38% of Young Indian, making them the largest stakeholders.
The ED has also named the late Congress leaders Motilal Vora and Oscar Fernandes, along with Sam Pitroda, Suman Dubey, and others, as part of the alleged conspiracy.
Both Sonia and Rahul Gandhi were previously questioned at length by the ED during the probe.
The case, which has become politically charged over the years, now moves into a critical phase as the court begins considering the evidence and charges outlined by the ED
