The National Herald case, which originated in 2012, continues to make headlines with fresh allegations of financial irregularities, asset seizures, and political vendetta claims from the Congress party. Here's a comprehensive breakdown of the latest updates, including the new FIR, court delays, and ED's asset attachments.
Delhi Police Files New FIR in National Herald Case: Key Allegations Against Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Others
The new FIR in the National Herald case was lodged on October 3, 2025, based on a complaint by the ED's Headquarters Investigation Unit (HIU). The ED's probe, spanning 2008 to 2024, uncovered alleged fraud in AJL acquisition and prompted police action.
According to the FIR:
- Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, along with six other individuals and three companies, are accused of a conspiracy to illegally take over Associated Journals Limited (AJL).
- In 2010, AJL's assets were valued at approximately ₹2,000 crore, including prime real estate like Herald House on Bahadur Shah Zafar Marg in Delhi.
- Kolkata-based Dotex Merchandise allegedly infused ₹1 crore into Young Indian Pvt Ltd, a not-for-profit entity where Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi hold a 76% stake.
- Young Indian then paid just ₹50 lakh to the Congress party to secure control of AJL, raising questions about undervaluation and fraudulent transfer.
Sources indicate that Delhi Police may soon summon AJL shareholders to verify if Congress obtained prior permission for the asset transfer. The Congress has dismissed the FIR against Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi as a "political vendetta" by the BJP-led government, claiming ignorance of the filing until media reports surfaced on Saturday.
This latest twist in the National Herald money laundering case revives scrutiny on how a loss-making newspaper's publisher was allegedly converted into a vehicle for asset grabs worth billions.
National Herald Case: Court Postpones Verdict on ED Charge Sheet for Third Time
Adding to the suspense, the Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi deferred its decision on the ED's charge sheet in the National Herald case for the third time on November 29, 2025. The court is deliberating whether to take cognizance of charges under PMLA against key accused, including:
- Sonia Gandhi
- Rahul Gandhi
- Sam Pitroda
- Suman Dubey
- Other senior Congress figures like Motilal Vora and Oscar Fernandes
The ED charge sheet details financial irregularities linked to AJL, which historically published the National Herald newspaper. Arguments wrapped up on July 14, 2025, with judgment initially slated for July 29. Deferrals followed on August 8 and now November 29, pushing the verdict to December 16, 2025.
Legal experts view this delay as procedural, but it keeps the Sonia Gandhi-Rahul Gandhi National Herald probe in the spotlight amid ongoing ED actions.
ED's Aggressive Moves: ₹661 Crore Property Seizure Notice and Share Attachments in AJL Case
The ED has ramped up enforcement in the National Herald fraud case:
- April 2025: Issued a notice under Section 8 and Rule 5(1) of PMLA to seize immovable properties of AJL worth ₹661 crore. Documents were filed with property registrars, demanding vacation of the assets.
- November 2023: Attached AJL shares valued at ₹90.2 crore to safeguard "proceeds of crime" and block accused from tampering.
- Additionally, the ED directed Jindal South West Projects Limited (occupying floors 7-9 of Herald House in Mumbai's Bandra) to route monthly rent directly to the ED Director.
These steps underscore the ED's stance that Young Indian's acquisition of AJL masked a scheme to siphon valuable real estate under the guise of reviving a defunct media outlet.
Intense ED Interrogations: Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi Grilled for Hours in National Herald Probe
The ED investigation into National Herald has seen high-profile questioning:
- June 2022: Rahul Gandhi faced over 50 hours of interrogation across five days, with more than 100 questions on the AJL-Young Indian transactions.
- July 21, 2022: Sonia Gandhi underwent 12 hours of questioning over three days, focusing on her role in Young Indian and the ₹50 lakh payment for a ₹2,000 crore asset.
These sessions highlighted discrepancies in funding flows and ownership structures, fueling the money laundering allegations against Congress leaders.
Origins of the National Herald Case: Subramanian Swamy's 2012 Petition Against Fraudulent AJL Takeover
The saga began in 2012 when BJP leader Subramanian Swamy filed a private complaint at Delhi's Patiala House Court. He accused Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and Congress stalwarts of:
- Forming Young Indian Limited to stealthily control National Herald assets.
- Illegally acquiring AJL – the publisher of the historic newspaper – for a nominal ₹50 lakh, despite its ₹2,000 crore valuation.
- Eyeing prime properties like Herald House for undue gains.
Swamy sought criminal prosecution under cheating and conspiracy charges, labeling it a blatant case of corporate fraud and money laundering. The petition ignited a multi-agency probe, blending CBI inquiries with ED's PMLA actions.
Congress Response: Political Vendetta in Sonia-Rahul National Herald Case
The Congress party has vehemently denied wrongdoing, terming the new Delhi Police FIR and ED moves as "malicious harassment" timed for political mileage. Party spokespersons argue the Young Indian-AJL deal was transparent and aimed at newspaper revival, not asset stripping.
As the National Herald case verdict looms on December 16, all eyes are on how this PMLA probe against Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi unfolds. Will it lead to convictions, or reinforce claims of selective targeting? Stay tuned for updates on this high-stakes Indian political scandal.
