Post by : Meena Ariff

On Tuesday, a Delhi court declined to accept the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) money laundering case involving Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and five others linked to the National Herald issue.

The Rouse Avenue Court indicated that the ED’s prosecution complaint, arising from a private complaint rather than a First Information Report (FIR), could not be processed. It also noted that the Economic Offences Wing of the Delhi Police had already filed an FIR regarding this case, rendering the ED’s submission premature.

Despite dismissing the ED’s case, the court made it clear that the agency is permitted to pursue its investigation further and has the option of appealing the ruling.

The Congress party expressed satisfaction with the ruling, deeming it a triumph for justice. In a social media update, the party remarked that the court determined the ED’s case lacked jurisdiction due to the absence of an FIR. They characterized the case as politically charged, accusing the government of systematically targeting opposition leaders over the past ten years.

The ED had claimed that Sonia and Rahul Gandhi, along with notable Congress figures like Sam Pitroda, engaged in a conspiracy to illegitimately acquire Associated Journals Limited (AJL), the parent company of the defunct National Herald newspaper.

Background on the National Herald Case:
Founded in 1938, the National Herald served as a publication closely associated with the Congress party. It suspended operations in 2008, carrying debts of ₹90.21 crore but still holding real estate assets valued around ₹2,000 crore. The ED contends these properties have since appreciated to about ₹5,000 crore.

The entrusting of this case dates back to November 2012, with a private complaint alleging that the Gandhis and other Congress leaders acquired AJL properties for only ₹50 lakh, notably including Herald House in Delhi and properties in Mumbai. Currently, these assets are estimated to be worth ₹661 crore. Additional allegations suggest that AJL accrued substantial rental income from these holdings, which the ED has categorized as "proceeds of crime" amounting to nearly ₹998 crore.

Reactions to the ruling have varied. While Congress denounced the case as a political attack, critics from opposition groups accused the party of trying to shift attention away from key issues. Some allies, such as Shiv Sena leader Priyanka Chaturvedi, defended Congress, labeling the allegations as an exploitation of investigative authority for political gain.

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