The chargesheet, filed under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), names Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Sam Pitroda, Suman Dubey, and several other senior Congress leaders.
What the ED Alleges
The ED has accused the Congress leadership of financial misconduct involving Associated Journals Limited (AJL), the original publisher of the National Herald.
Key allegations include:
-
Attempt to take control of AJL:
-
Despite AJL’s assets being valued at nearly ₹2,000 crore, the company was running in losses and had taken a ₹90 crore loan from the Congress, which it failed to repay.
-
Instead of liquidating assets, the ED claims Sonia and Rahul Gandhi “conspired” to take over AJL through a newly formed company, Young Indian (YI), in which the two hold a 76% stake.
-
The agency alleges the acquisition was backed by sham funding, with no real financial transaction made with AJL.
-
Attachment and seizure of assets:
-
In April, the ED issued orders to take possession of immovable properties worth ₹661 crore, submitting documents to the property registrar under PMLA provisions.
-
AJL shares worth ₹90.2 crore had already been attached in November 2023.
-
A notice was also issued to Jindal South West Projects Ltd, which occupies three floors of Herald House in Mumbai, directing that monthly rent be deposited in favour of the ED Director.
Previous Interrogations
The agency has questioned both leaders extensively:
-
Rahul Gandhi was grilled for 50 hours over five days in June 2022.
-
Sonia Gandhi faced questioning for 12 hours across three days in July 2022.
-
Both were asked over 100 questions during the probe.
Timeline of Case Developments
-
Arguments concluded on July 14.
-
Order was first reserved for July 29, then postponed to August 8, followed by November 29.
-
Next hearing now scheduled for December 16.
The case remains one of the most politically sensitive investigations involving top Congress leadership, with the court’s upcoming decision likely to have far-reaching legal and political implications.
.jpg)
