Delhi Court Rejects ED Chargesheet Against Gandhis in National Herald Case
Special Judge cites lack of FIR in predicate offence, rules ED charge premature
New Delhi, Dec 16: A Delhi court on Tuesday declined to take cognisance of the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) money laundering charges against Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, and five others in the National Herald case.
Special Judge Vishal Gogne observed that the chargesheet is based on a complaint by a private individual rather than an FIR of a predicate offence, making its cognisance legally impermissible. The court noted that since the Delhi Police’s Economic Offences Wing has already filed an FIR in the matter, it would be premature to rule on the ED’s allegations on merit.
The ED has accused Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, the late leaders Motilal Vora and Oscar Fernandes, along with Suman Dubey, Sam Pitroda, and the private company Young Indian, of conspiracy and money laundering. The agency alleges that the accused acquired properties worth around Rs 2,000 crore belonging to Associated Journals Limited (AJL), publisher of the National Herald newspaper.
According to the chargesheet, the Gandhis held a 76 per cent stake in Young Indian, which allegedly “fraudulently” took control of AJL’s assets in exchange for a Rs 90 crore loan.
