Court Rejects ED’s Money Laundering Charge Against Gandhis

A court has refused to acknowledge the Enforcement Directorate's money laundering charge against Rahul and Sonia Gandhi in the National Herald case. The judge stated that the charges arise from a private complaint and not an FIR. An existing FIR by the Delhi Police makes the adjudication premature.

A court in Delhi has declined to recognize the Enforcement Directorate's (ED) accusations of money laundering against Congress leaders Rahul Gandhi and Sonia Gandhi, among others, in connection with the National Herald case.

Special Judge Vishal Gogne noted that the chargesheet is subsequent to a private complaint rather than an FIR of a predicate offense, declaring it impermissible under the law. This decision was made despite an FIR already being filed by Delhi Police's Economic Offences Wing in the case, suggesting that addressing the ED's arguments would be premature.

The ED has alleged that Sonia and Rahul Gandhi, along with other Congress leaders, conspired to acquire approximately Rs 2,000 crore worth of properties belonging to Associated Journals Limited (AJL) via a company named Young Indian. They purportedly held 76% shares in Young Indian, which allegedly took over AJL's assets against a Rs 90 crore loan.

(With inputs from agencies.)