The Economic Offences Wing (EOW) of Delhi Police has registered a fresh FIR against Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, along with six others, over alleged irregularities in the acquisition of Associated Journals Ltd (AJL).
The FIR is based on allegations that the leaders and their associates wrongfully took control of AJL, a company earlier linked to the Congress and owning properties worth around Rs 2,000 crore.
According to the FIR, dated 3 October, the takeover happened through Young Indian, a company in which Sonia and Rahul Gandhi together hold 76% shares. The case was filed after the ED headquarters submitted a complaint to the EOW.
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At the same time, the Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi has again postponed its decision on whether to take cognisance of the Enforcement Directorate’s chargesheet in the National Herald money laundering case.
The chargesheet names several senior Congress figures, including Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Sam Pitroda, and Suman Dubey, under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The court will now announce its order on December 16.
Earlier, the court issued notices to the accused, stating that they have a right to be heard before any decision is made. Special Judge Vishal Gogne said this right is supported by Section 223 of the new criminal law (BNSS), which allows the accused to present their side even before cognisance is taken.
The judge noted that this provision adds transparency and fairness to the process and does not clash with PMLA.
What is the National Herald case?
The National Herald case began in 2012 when BJP leader Subramanian Swamy accused Congress leaders of cheating and breach of trust in the takeover of AJL. In 2008, AJL had unpaid dues of Rs 90 crore. Congress had given the company a loan of the same amount over 10 years in about 100 instalments.
