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The ED, which filed its chargesheet recently, began its probe in 2021 after a magistrate court took cognisance of a private complaint filed by Swamy on June 26, 2014
The Enforcement Directorate said a ‘prima facie’ case of money laundering was made out against Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, and others in the National Herald matter. (File Photo)
Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi have benefitted from Rs 142 crores of “proceeds of crime”, the Enforcement Directorate told a Delhi court during the hearing in a money laundering case linked with the National Herald newspaper.
Additional Solicitor General SV Raju, appearing for the central agency, said properties related to the National Herald were attached in November 2023 and till then, the accused were “enjoying the proceeds of crime”.
“Proceeds of crime not only include those properties obtained from the scheduled offence, but also any other criminal activity “relatable” to the proceeds of crime,” ASG Raju said.
The ED alleged that the accused committed money laundering when they acquired the “proceeds of crime” but also when they continued to hold it.
What Is The National Herald Case? ED Charges Against Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi Explained
The Enforcement Directorate said a ‘prima facie’ case of money laundering was made out against Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, and others in the National Herald matter.
The ED made the submission before special judge Vishal Gogne during the opening submissions on whether to take cognisance of the matter.
The judge, meanwhile, directed the ED to supply a copy of its chargesheet in the matter to BJP leader Subramanian Swamy, based on whose private complaint the ED lodged the present case.
The ED, which filed its chargesheet recently, began its probe in 2021 after a magistrate court took cognisance of a private complaint filed by Swamy on June 26, 2014.
The Enforcement Directorate’s case stems from a 2015 order by a trial court, which permitted the Income Tax Department to examine the financial dealings related to the National Herald and assess the tax liabilities of Sonia and Rahul Gandhi. This order followed a complaint filed in 2013 by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy.
In his plea, Swamy alleged financial irregularities involving the Gandhis’ acquisition of the National Herald newspaper. According to the complaint, Sonia and Rahul Gandhi took control of Associated Journals Limited (AJL)—the company that owns the newspaper—through Young Indian Limited (YIL), a company in which they hold a majority 86% stake. The takeover was allegedly done for just ₹50 lakh, while the real estate assets linked to AJL are estimated to be worth over ₹2,000 crore.
Swamy further accused the Congress leaders of misusing party funds, claiming that YIL was used to acquire the rights to recover ₹90.25 crore in loans that AJL owed to the Congress party, for a fraction of that amount.
The ED is now investigating Sonia and Rahul Gandhi’s roles as majority stakeholders in YIL and how that connects to their control over AJL and its valuable assets. Both leaders were granted bail by the trial court on December 19, 2015.
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