Delhi Court summons Sonia, Rahul Gandhi in National Herald case

A Delhi court on Friday issued formal notices to Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in the National Herald money laundering case, marking a significant development in a legal battle that has spanned over a decade. The court’s move follows the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) extensive probe into alleged financial irregularities.

Special Judge Vishal Gogne, while issuing the notice, emphasized the importance of procedural fairness, stating that the "right to be heard at any stage breathes life into a fair trial." The court has scheduled the next hearing for May 8.

The roots of the case trace back to a private criminal complaint filed in 2014 by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy. The complaint alleged that the Gandhis and other Congress members were involved in a financial conspiracy linked to the now-defunct National Herald newspaper. The ED formally launched its investigation in 2021.

According to the ED, the Congress party extended an unsecured loan of around ₹90 crore to Associated Journals Limited (AJL), the original publisher of National Herald. This debt was later transferred to Young Indian, a not-for-profit company in which Sonia and Rahul Gandhi hold 38% each, for just ₹50 lakh. The agency alleges that this transaction allowed the Gandhis to indirectly gain control of AJL’s assets worth over ₹2,000 crore.

Congress has denounced the move as politically motivated. Party president Mallikarjun Kharge called the action part of a “spirit of vendetta,” asserting that the government is using investigative agencies to intimidate opposition leaders. The party continues to defend Young Indian as a legitimate non-profit entity with no intention of private gain.