Delhi Court Gives Temporary Relief to Sonia, Rahul Gandhi in National Herald Money Laundering Case

New Delhi: Delhi's Rouse Avenue Court has given big relief to Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi in the money laundering case related to National Herald. The court refused to take cognizance of the charge sheet filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) for the time being. The court says that it is not appropriate to proceed with the charge sheet at this stage.

Why was cognizance not taken?

The court made it clear that the ED investigation is not based on any registered FIR; rather, it is based on the personal complaint of Subramanian Swamy and the old summoning orders of the magistrate. According to the court, for this reason cognizance cannot be taken of the charge sheet right now. However, the court also said that if the ED wishes, it can continue further investigation in the case.

Delhi's Rouse Avenue court declines to take cognisance of the chargesheet filed by the Enforcement Directorate (ED) against Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and others in the National Herald money laundering case. https://t.co/6yHfMVl2ib

— ANI (@ANI) December 16, 2025

What was the stand of the court regarding the copy of the FIR?

In another proceeding related to the same case, the court also gave a shock to the Congress leaders. The court said that Rahul Gandhi, Sonia Gandhi, and other accused do not have the right to get a copy of the FIR related to this case. This decision was given during the hearing related to the new FIR registered by the Economic Offenses Wing (EOW) of Delhi Police.

Who has been accused by ED?

Apart from the Gandhi family, Suman Dubey, Sam Pitroda, Young Indian Company, Dotex Merchandise, and Sunil Bhandari have also been accused in this case. ED alleges that the valuable assets of Associated Journals Limited (AJL), the publisher of the National Herald newspaper, were wrongfully seized.

What is a charge of money laundering?

According to ED, AJL assets worth more than Rs 2,000 crore were transferred to Young Indian Company as part of a criminal conspiracy. The investigating agency claims that these properties and the rent received from them were used as 'proceeds of crime.' ED also says that the Gandhi family is the main shareholder in Young Indian.

What is Congress's stand?

Congress leaders, including Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi, have completely rejected all the allegations of ED. They say that this case is being conducted out of political vendetta and no money laundering has taken place in it.

At present, the Gandhi family has definitely got legal relief from this decision of the court, but the matter is not completely over yet.