The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a chargesheet in the National Herald money laundering case. It named Sonia Gandhi as Accused No. 1 and Rahul Gandhi as Accused No. 2 as per reports.

Court Hearing Scheduled

The ED submitted the chargesheet on April 9. Then, Special Judge Vishal Gogne reviewed the document. As a result, he scheduled the next hearing for April 25, 2025.

In addition, Congress leaders Sam Pitroda and Suman Dubey are also listed as accused.

The judge stated, “The prosecution complaint will be reviewed for cognisance on April 25, 2025, during which the special counsel for the ED and the investigating officer will also present the case diaries for the court’s review.”

ED Seizes ₹661 Crore in Assets

On April 12, the ED said it had started seizing properties worth ₹661 crore. These assets are linked to the money laundering case. Notably, the properties belong to Associated Journals Limited (AJL), which is controlled by the Congress party.

Moreover, Sonia and Rahul Gandhi together hold over 75% of AJL shares.

Soon after, the ED issued notices to vacate or transfer rent for several properties. Officials posted the notices at the following locations:

• Herald House in Delhi’s ITO area

• A property in Bandra, Mumbai

• AJL’s building on Bisheshwar Nath Road in Lucknow

Legal Grounds for the Action

The ED took this action under Section 8 and Rule 5(1) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). According to the law, the ED can take possession of properties after the adjudicating authority confirms the attachment.

What Is the National Herald Case?

The case started in 2014. At that time, BJP leader Subramanian Swamy filed a complaint. He accused Sonia and Rahul Gandhi of acquiring AJL’s assets for just ₹50 lakh. However, he claimed those properties were worth over ₹2,000 crore.

AJL publishes the National Herald. It is owned by Young Indian Private Limited. Importantly, Sonia and Rahul Gandhi each hold 38% of shares in Young Indian. Together, they are the majority owners.

The ED alleged, “Young Indian and AJL properties were used for generation of further proceeds of crime in the form of bogus donations to the tune of ₹18 crore, bogus advance rent to the tune of ₹38 crore, and bogus advertisements of ₹29 crore.”