New Delhi – In a significant development in the National Herald money laundering case, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) informed the Rouse Avenue Court on Wednesday that Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi illegally earned ₹142 crore through criminal proceeds. The ED alleged that the Gandhis retained and attempted to launder this illicit wealth, which falls under the purview of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The ED maintained that a prima facie case under PMLA has been established, stating that the duo misused their positions and routed tainted money through complex corporate structures to legitimize it.
Over ₹750 Crore in Properties Seized
In November 2023, the ED had attached properties worth ₹751.9 crore in connection with the case. According to the agency, Sonia and Rahul Gandhi hold the beneficial ownership of Young Indian Limited, the company at the center of the alleged fraud.
What is the National Herald Case?
The case revolves around Associated Journals Limited (AJL), a company founded in 1937 by India’s first Prime Minister, Jawaharlal Nehru. AJL was originally established to publish newspapers such as The National Herald (English), Navjeevan (Hindi), and Qaumi Awaaz (Urdu). However, the ownership of AJL rested with around 5,000 freedom fighters and not Nehru himself.
By the 1990s, AJL’s newspapers were running into heavy losses, and by 2008, the company had accumulated a debt of over ₹90 crore. With publication halted, AJL began focusing on real estate—marking the genesis of the controversy.
Allegations and Political Storm
In 2012, BJP leader Dr. Subramanian Swamy filed a criminal complaint against Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and others including Motilal Vora, Oscar Fernandes, Suman Dubey, and Sam Pitroda. He alleged that Young Indian acquired AJL for a mere ₹50 lakh, thereby gaining control over properties worth more than ₹2,000 crore.
Swamy further contended that the Congress Party had extended loans to AJL using party funds—an act he termed illegal, as political parties are prohibited from using public donations for commercial lending or business acquisitions.
Legal and Political Fallout
The ED’s revelations add a new layer to the decade-old case, reigniting a political firestorm. Notices have been issued to the Gandhis, and further hearings are expected to determine the next course of action.
This case continues to be one of the most high-profile instances where India’s political elite face serious charges of financial impropriety, with implications that could ripple across the national political landscape.
