The Delhi High Court postponed the hearing on the Enforcement Directorate’s challenge to a trial court’s decision regarding the National Herald money laundering case involving Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma rescheduled the matter to April 20 after a brief hearing. The ED contested a court order from December 16, 2025, which dismissed its charge sheet under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).
The federal anti-money laundering agency criticized the trial court’s refusal to acknowledge alleged offenses and the dismissal of the charge sheet. The Delhi High Court had earlier asked for responses from Sonia Gandhi and Rahul Gandhi. Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, representing the ED, argued that the trial court’s interpretation of the PMLA was incorrect. The ED emphasized that the court’s acceptance of a private complaint is more significant than an FIR by the police.
The case involves accusations that Congress leaders illicitly gained control of assets worth over Rs 2,000 crore from Associated Journals Limited (AJL) through Young Indian. This acquisition allegedly occurred by paying a nominal sum of Rs 50 lakh. The controversy emerged in 2012 when Subramanian Swamy filed a complaint, alleging cheating and breach of trust by Congress leaders in acquiring AJL.
