New Delhi/Bengaluru [India], November 30–December 2 (ANI): The National Herald money laundering case intensified over the weekend as the Delhi Police’s Economic Offences Wing (EOW) filed a fresh FIR naming several senior Congress leaders, including Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, prompting sharp political reactions from party leaders across the country.
The new FIR, lodged after a complaint from the Enforcement Directorate’s (ED) headquarters, includes six additional individuals besides the Gandhis. It comes as the Rouse Avenue Court once again deferred its decision on whether to take cognisance of the ED’s chargesheet under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The chargesheet lists Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, Sam Pitroda, Suman Dubey and others, with allegations of financial irregularities involving Associated Journals Ltd (AJL), the original publisher of the National Herald.
The court, which is scheduled to deliver its order on December 16, reiterated that accused individuals have a “right to be heard” before cognisance is taken—an assurance grounded in Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS). Special Judge Vishal Gogne stated that the provision enhances transparency and fairness in proceedings and does not conflict with PMLA mandates. The court also noted that the predicate offence—under IPC Sections 403, 406, 420 and 120B—is already being tried at Rouse Avenue Court, and PMLA rules require both matters to be heard together.
The National Herald case stems from a complaint filed by former MP Subramanian Swamy, who alleged misuse of funds by Congress leaders and entities linked to AJL.
The filing of the new FIR triggered strong reactions from the Congress leadership. In a post on X, senior Congress leader Jairam Ramesh accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah of orchestrating a campaign of “harassment, intimidation, and vendetta” against the party’s top leadership. Calling the case “completely bogus,” Ramesh said, “Those who threaten are themselves insecure and afraid… Justice will ultimately triumph. Satyameva Jayate.”
Echoing a similar sentiment, Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar accused the Centre of pursuing “political vendetta” and misusing investigative agencies to target Rahul Gandhi. Addressing the media at Vidhana Soudha on Monday, he asserted that the National Herald was a party asset, not the private property of any Congress leader.
“National Herald isn’t the personal property of Sonia Gandhi or Rahul Gandhi. He was a shareholder only by virtue of being president,” Shivakumar said, adding that party presidents historically held such positions and relinquished shares when they left office. He also cited decisions by former leaders, including former Prime Minister Morarji Desai, taken in the institution’s interest.
“Rahul Gandhi will not be bothered even if he is put in jail, but vendetta politics is not good. Let’s fight elections directly—don’t misuse agencies to torture political opponents,” he added.
Shivakumar also clarified internal political speculation, stating that he and Chief Minister Siddaramaiah were “working together as brothers” and coordinating on an upcoming all-party meeting in Delhi. He later paid floral tributes to former Chief Minister Kengal Hanumanthaiah, praising his role in Karnataka’s development.
As political temperatures rise, all eyes are now on December 16, when the court is set to decide on taking cognisance of the ED’s chargesheet in the long-running National Herald case.
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