Delhi Police’s Economic Offences Wing has registered an FIR against Congress leaders Sonia Gandhi, Rahul Gandhi and several others in connection with alleged financial irregularities linked to the National Herald. The case was filed on October 3 based on a complaint forwarded by the Enforcement Directorate as part of its ongoing money laundering investigation.
The FIR includes charges under Sections 120B (criminal conspiracy), 403 (dishonest misappropriation of property), 406 (criminal breach of trust) and 420 (cheating) of the Indian Penal Code. Among those named are Suman Dubey, Sam Pitroda, Young Indian, Dotex Merchandise Ltd, promoter Sunil Bhandari, Associated Journals Ltd, and unidentified individuals. Officials confirmed that the EOW lodged the case against the Congress leaders and seven others in early October.
The development stems from allegations first raised in 2014 through a private complaint filed by BJP leader Subramanian Swamy, which earlier this year resulted in an ED chargesheet. According to officials, the newly filed FIR is expected to reinforce the ED’s case. They noted that the charges originate from a Delhi court order that took cognisance of Swamy’s complaint in June 2014. The FIR reflects the allegations detailed by the ED in a letter dated September 4 and aligns with points raised in the agency’s chargesheet.
Congress leaders have dismissed the action as politically motivated, accusing the government of using central agencies for “petty vendetta tactics” and branding the ED a “coalition partner” of the BJP. The case is scheduled for its next hearing on December 16, when the court is expected to examine the ED’s chargesheet. Except for unnamed individuals, all persons listed in the FIR are also named in the chargesheet submitted in April.
The ED invoked Section 66(2) of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act to request the registration of the FIR, a provision that allows the agency to share evidence with law enforcement for filing a predicate offence, forming the basis of a money laundering case. Officials confirmed that this mechanism was used to facilitate the latest action.
At the core of the allegations is the claim that a conspiracy was devised by senior Congress figures, including Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi, to assume control of assets worth more than ₹2,000 crore belonging to Associated Journals Ltd for just ₹50 lakh. The ED has alleged that Young Indian, described as being beneficially owned by the two leaders, acquired AJL’s properties at a fraction of their value. In its chargesheet, the agency stated that a series of political figures and Young Indian were linked to a laundering scheme that enabled the asset transfer.
The ED further asserted that its investigation has “conclusively” established that Young Indian acquired AJL’s assets at an undervalued amount. It also alleged that Sonia Gandhi misused her position as former Congress president to convert public funds for the benefit of herself and Rahul Gandhi through the company’s structure.
