Delhi Court Rejects ED's Request To Issue Notices To Sonia And Rahul Gandhi Over Money Laundering Case

An Enforcement Directorate (ED) request to send instant notices to Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi in connection with a money laundering investigation related to the National Herald newspaper was denied by a Delhi court on Friday, marking a significant milestone. The ED's submission of insufficient documentation served as the foundation for the court's ruling.

As required by the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), the ED had asked the court for permission to take cognisance of the chargesheet, saying that the accused should be heard before any official notice is given. In the ED's chargesheet, Sonia and Rahul Gandhi are identified as the first and second accused, respectively.

Court's Directive to the ED

The case's special judge, Vishal Gogne, complained that the ED's records were incomplete and expressed displeasure with them. Before deciding whether to send notices to the accused, the court ordered the agency to provide the missing papers. "The Ahlmad (court record keeper) pointed out that some documents are missing from the chargesheet. ED is instructed to submit those records. The judge stated, "The court will then decide the issue of notice."

According to the ED, YI, which acquired the assets of Associated Journals Limited (AJL), the parent firm of the National Herald daily, for just ₹50 lakh, is actually benefiting the Gandhis. These assets were estimated to be worth ₹2,000 crore at the time, and they are currently said to be worth ₹5,000 crore.

The ED's chargesheet states that it has tracked down ₹988 crore in criminal proceeds. These assets include shares worth ₹90 crore, real estate and other properties valued at ₹755 crore, and ₹142 crore in rent that AJL has earned from its properties in cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Indore, Panchkula, Lucknow, and Patna since YI took over the company in 2010-11.

ANI Inputs