New Delhi [India], April 15 (ANI): In a significant development, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has filed a chargesheet (prosecution complaint) against Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi in the National Herald money laundering case.
The chargesheet also names Sam Pitroda, Suman Dubey, and several other individuals and firms allegedly involved in the matter.
The case has been listed for arguments on cognisance at the Rouse Avenue Court, New Delhi, on April 25.
Charges and Legal Grounds
The prosecution complaint has been filed under:
- Sections 44 and 45 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002,
- For offences defined under Section 3, read with Section 70,
- And punishable under Section 4 of the PMLA.
Special Judge Vishal Gogne, after hearing the ED counsel, noted that the predicate offence related to the case (original crime that triggered the money laundering investigation) is being tried under Complaint Case No. 18/2019, which involves:
- Section 403 (Dishonest misappropriation of property),
- Section 406 (Criminal breach of trust),
- Section 420 (Cheating),
- Read with Section 120(B) (Criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), 1860.
Joint Trial for PMLA and Predicate Offences
The court further highlighted that under Section 44(1)(c) of the PMLA, both the predicate offence and the related money laundering offence must be tried by the same court. Since both are under the jurisdiction of the Rouse Avenue Courts, the trial will continue there.
Background
The case originated from a private complaint filed by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy, alleging financial irregularities by Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi, and others in the acquisition of Associated Journals Ltd. (AJL)—the publisher of the now-defunct National Herald newspaper—via the company Young Indian Pvt Ltd.
Swamy alleged that assets worth over ₹2,000 crore were fraudulently acquired by Young Indian. The case has been politically charged, with the Congress party consistently calling it a vendetta by the ruling BJP government.
With the ED now officially filing a chargesheet, the case is poised to move into a critical legal phase ahead of the April 25 hearing.
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